Birmingham Legion Defeats Phoenix Rising FC on the Road

March 10, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release

Phoenix, AZ – Birmingham headed west to Phoenix for its first road game to kick off the 2024 regular season. The boys in Gold were eager to record their first win of the season and were able to bring back home three points. The Three Sparks held onto its one-goal lead until the end of the game.

First half:

Phoenix came into the game firing shots with the first big save of the night happening in the third minute when Panos Armenakas fired a strike, but MVO made a diving save. The backline put on a great performance when Phoenix had another great opportunity to score in the 13th minute when Armenakas lifted a cross into the box from the left side but VanOekel punched the ball in the air. Formella was able to get a touch on the rebound but was blocked by Captain Kavita.

Legion’s first big chance happens in the 32nd minute when Preston makes a right-footed cross to the back post but it goes over Turay’s head. Pasher then takes a shot but it goes nowhere leaving Turay and Nwegbo jumbled up unable to get it to the back of the net.

The Rising had another dangerous opportunity in the 34th minute when Varela crossed a ball to Edguardo Rito. Rito fired a shot but MVO was able to punch it up. The ball bounced around Formella’s feet, but MVO dived on top of it before Formella was able to put the rebound shot away.

“Early we were under a lot of fire, and then once the game settled, we started to create our own opportunities and I think our confidence grew with that and our sharpness grew,” said Head Coach Tom Soehn.

Legion’s second big chance of the night happened in the 45th minute when Hernandez-Foster took a Chick-fil-A corner kick. Hernandez-Foster’s left-footed shot goes over Phoenix’s backline but Crognale’s header is saved.

The Legion had many great chances in the first half but could not convert, but in the second half the team had a lot more looks.

“During the first game, you’re still going through some stretches where you haven’t lived through it yet, and then as you experience it, you understand what the game means,” said Soehn. “We were much better in possession, and then turning those into chances.”

Second half:

The Three Sparks came in the second half with much more confidence and possession. In the 58th minute, Pasher made a great run and crossed the ball to Turay, but he hit the right post with a right-footed shot.

Legion made a breakthrough in the second half after…