September 22, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
Birmingham Legion FC in action
(Birmingham Legion FC)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It may not have been exactly how coach Tom Soehn and Birmingham Legion FC mapped it out when they woke up in the morning, but at the end of the season and in the middle of a fervent postseason chase, all that matters at this stage is three points in the end. That’s exactly what Legion FC achieved on Sunday afternoon in a 1-0 victory over Miami FC, with the difference coming from a stoppage-time golazo from forward Darwin Matheus on his club debut.
“It was one of those must-win games for us because we’re taking every game on as if it’s a playoff game,” said Legion FC assistant coach Eric Avila. “Darwin is a special player that we got and for him to come in and help the team, it just brings a lot of confidence for him and the team moving forward.”
Subbing on in the 62nd minute of a scoreless match to mark his first appearance with the club after signing on earlier in the month, the Venezuelan attacker felt the nerves gradually subside and found himself growing into the game as the second half went on.
That all culminated in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he saved an overshot cross from going out of bounds on the right side of the pitch. His third touch on the ball set himself up to unleash a left-footed strike towards the near post, catching Miami goalkeeper Khadim Ndiaye out of position as the ball blasted into the net to finally put Birmingham in front.
“It’s such a great satisfaction of scoring a goal on my debut,” Matheus said of his goal through an interpreter. “For any player, this generates a lot of confidence and I’m happy I helped us get the three points tonight.”
The matchwinner marks Matheus’ first professional goal since December 1 of last year when he scored the opener in a 2-0 win for Croatian club NK Istra 1961.
After seeing the ball go in, the 23-year-old Matheus casually and stoically turned and looked out at the Protective Stadium crowd that he just sent into a frenzy, before getting mobbed by his Legion FC teammates.
“We’ve actually seen him do that a couple of times this week at training, but not from that distance,” said Birmingham defender Jake Rufe. “That was fun watching him score and then look at the crowd, who I think are happy with our new signing, and I’m happy for him too.”
There was just as much celebration as there was a sense of relief for Birmingham who had…