March 11, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
BIRMINGHAM, AL The first match of Legion FC’s 2023 season ended in a draw on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, with each side scoring one goal in the tie.
The first Legion goal of the 2023 campaign came from a corner kick in the 27th minute. A brilliantly executed delivery from defender Jake Rufe found the head of Legion FC’s 2020 Defender of the Year Alex Crognale at the near post, who expertly sent the ball across goal into the back of the net.
“Rufe is someone who not many fans would guess would be taking our set-pieces, but through our pre-season, with the right foot – he proved to be able to play a good ball and it showed,” said Crognale. “He put it in the right spot, and it was good to score a goal.”
Highlights from the Match and Post-Game interviews
The Three Sparks led 1-0 at halftime with a convincing offensive performance – six shots to Pittsburgh’s one. Pittsburgh maintained its shape and pushed forward throughout the second half, however, and that effort led to a goal by Robbie Mertz in the 72nd minute of play. Asturo Osuna sent a ball over the top to an on-rushing Merz, who controlled the ball with his chest and got it past VanOekel.
“I thought we were a little disjointed defensively at times,” said Crognale. “We struggled matching their movements in the midfield.”
“You could tell it was our first game,” said Head Coach Tommy Soehn. “I didn’t think we had our rhythm and flow. I thought we started the game decently, but then we just didn’t carry out the things we normally work on, as far as keeping possession, switching the point of attack, all the things that you pride yourself on I thought we just lacked. You could tell we were rusty.”
Legion goalkeeping veteran Matt VanOekel came out with two massive back-to-back saves in the 80th minute that kept a point alive for the hosts. Pittsburgh’s Tony Lopez fired a shot towards VanOekel who parried it away, only to fall right on the shooting foot of Tola Showunmi. Anticipating the shot, VanOekel made an instinctive save that kept the score level.
Multiple players got their Legion debut tonight, including Tyler Pasher, Gabriel Alves, Collin Smith, Ben Reveno, and Diba Nwegbo. Pasher remained dangerous in transition on the wing, and made a big difference in the final third.
“All these players have talent,” said Crognale. “When guys weren’t here for the full pre-season – you can tell we’re…