April 2, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
St. Petersburg, FL – Legion FC took home all three points at Al Lang Stadium thanks to a solid defensive performance and a brace by forward Neco Brett. This 2-0 win marks Birmingham’s third win in a row and its second clean sheet in a row as the Three Sparks extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference with ten points total – four points ahead of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in second place.
The boys from Birmingham looked like a first place team against the Rowdies and tonight’s win marks its first win over Tampa since August of 2019. Its defense was spectacular and kept the Rowdies from making one shot on target for the entirety of the match compared to Legion’s seven on target.
“We executed so well, our game plan,” said Head Coach Tommy Soehn. “That’s just credit to the guys – they watch and then they get to the field and they execute.”
Two clean sheets in a row on the road is a massive accomplishment for the Three Sparks. No other team in the USLC has managed to do that this season. Defensively, Birmingham has improved tremendously since its first two matches.
“I think it’s taking stride,” said Soehn on how the team has improved. “We continue to grow as a team because we have more reps together. The understanding gets there and our defensive shape. Credit to the group that we’re not just talking about how to get better, we’re actually getting better, and I think there’s more to come.”
Legion FC took the lead right before the half-time whistle. Forward Juan Agudelo found no. 10 Prosper Kasim out wide, who delivered a beautiful, curling service to an open Brett standing in front of goal. His header found the bottom-right corner and gave the Three Sparks the lead in the fifth minute of first-half extra time.
Tampa Bay put Birmingham under more pressure in the second half, leading possession by 73%, but the Boys in Black kept their shape and did not allow a single shot on target.
Legion would go on to solidify its lead in the 83rd minute. Goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg, who came on in the 32nd minute after Matt VanOekel took a knock, sent a long ball out wide to midfielder Matthew Corcoran, who raced in behind Tampa’s defense. Corcoran found an open Brett in the middle of the box, and the Jamaican confidently passed the ball into the right side of the net.
“I saw the space and just took off,” said 17 year-old Corcoran. “I looked up and saw Neco on tons of…