Two Legion FC Players Named to All-League Teams

November 1, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the 2022 USL Championship All-League Teams on Tuesday, honoring players for their standout regular season performances. Birmingham Legion FC attacker Enzo Martinez landed on the All-League First Team, and defender Jonny Dean was named to the All-League Second Team.

In his first season with the club, Martinez has become a legend in Birmingham. Martinez’s feature in the USL First Team surely comes as a surprise to no one across the Championship, with the main man earning six USL Team of the Week appearances and twice being named USL Player of the Week in 2022.

He led the Three Sparks in goals (15), assists (eight), chances created (70), shots (68), and shots on target (37). His 23 combined goals and assists were good for fifth-most in the USLC and accounted for exactly half of Legion FC’s 56 goals in the regular season.

“Hotlinks” Dean is known league-wide for his pace and diligence, and with six Team of the Week appearances on the season, the speedy right-back rightfully earned a place in the USL Second Team. The Georgia boy impressively was second on the team in chances created (56) a tally good for first place in the league amongst defenders. He was also first on the team in crosses (91), third in assists (five), and scored two goals.

On the defensive side of the things, Dean was second on the team in blocks (22), third in clearances (74), third in interceptions (47), and tied for third in tackles (60). Finally, Dean was the only outfield player in the USLC regular season to play every minute of every match, and after his full 90 in the playoff game, finished the year on 3,180 minutes played.

Seven first-time selections were voted to the Championship’s All-League First Team, including the San Antonio duo of goalkeeper Jordan Farr and defender Mitchell Taintor, who helped the side equal the league’s single season record of 17 shutouts in the regular season. Louisville City FC’s Sean Totsch was the lone player to return to the First Team from 2021 as he earned a third consecutive selection overall, while the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Aaron Guillen earned First Team honors after being voted to the All-League Second Team in 2021.

Guillen was joined in the First Team by first-time honoree and Tampa Bay teammate Leo Fernandes, who led the Championship with 28 combined goals and assists in a career year that saw him pass 150…