Lower Alabama Report: July 2
Dothan is finishing strong; UMA making a strong playoff run
Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham was on the road last weekend against Indy Eleven in Jagermeister Cup action. Legion scored a late goal in stoppage time to tie things up and force a shootout, where they came up short. But they did steal a point.
Birmingham will have two games this week. The first will be at home against our the Charleston Battery, on Wed July 2 at 7:00. The Battery have been scoring goals in bunches, and have more than double what Birmingham has scored for the season. But, Legion have seen a dramatic rise in chances created over the past few games, only to see them fall short on finishes. If Legion can get some of their chances across the line, they have a chance for an upset here.
The other match this week is on the road against Rhode Island on Sat July 5 at 6:00. Their previous match this season went to Rhode Island 1-0. The Legion players will be motivated to get the win over Khano Smith, and this should be a close match that I also expect to be chippy.
Huntsville City FC
Last week's Huntsville game against New England was postponed due to weather. This week they'll be on the road against New York Red Bulls 2 on Sunday July 6 at 6:00. NY is the top team in the East, and this will be a tough outing for HCFC. Regardless, expect a high-scoring, entertaining match. And it feels like the kind of game that will see red cards.
USL2
Image credit: Montgomery United
The regular season is nearing an end for USL2, and Dothan is probably going to make the playoffs as a wild card. They're tied on points with Asheville City, and have one game remaining. Asheville has two games in hand, and it's just not likely that they'll falter. Legion 2 has crumbled after their 0-7 loss at the hands of Asheville, although they're guaranteed to finish much better than in 2024. Columbus has a chance to hop up to third place. Montgomery will likely improve their standings in the table from their remaining schedule, but they're no doubt disappointed with the season.
Results last week:
Legion 2 0-1 Tennessee SC
Apotheos 0-5 Dothan United
East Atlanta 1-0 Legion 2
Dothan United 2-0 Columbus United
East Atlanta 0-3 Dothan United
Matches this week:
Wed July 2 Legion 2 vs Montgomery United at 4:00
Wed July 2 SSA vs Columbus United at 7:30
Mon July 7 SSA vs Montgomery United at 7:30
Tue July 8 Dothan United vs East Atlanta FC at 7:30
The League for Clubs
Image credit: Union 10
Union 10 had two big wins last week over Gulf Coast United, has secured a home spot in the first round of the playoffs, and are just waiting to see who their opponent will be.
Other results:
Gulf Coast United 0-6 Union 10
Gulf Coast United 3-1 AFC Mobile
Union 10 4-0 Gulf Coast United
This week's matches:
Wed July 2 Union 10 vs Pensacola Academy at 5:00
Sat July 5 AFC Mobile vs Pensacola Academy at 7:15
UPSL
UMA's first round playoff match against Dalton United featured 12 goals before the outcome was decided in a shootout. In the second round game, UMA was up against Kalonji Pro-Profile, and more fireworks were expected. But UMA stole away a 1-0 win, in an upset. This week UMA will be on the road again to face Potros on Saturday, July 5 at 7:00. The winner will be crowned champion for the Premier Georgia conference. Potros will be favored, having won the regular season game 3-1.
Women's matches
The Lower Alabama women's teams all wrapped up their seasons last week. Legion WFC finished strong with two solid wins last week.
Last week's results:
WPSL - Union 10 2-1 Gulf Coast United
USLW - Legion WFC 4-1 Tennessee SC
WPSL - Pensacola FC 4-0 Union 10
USLW - SSA 2-1 Legion WFC
WPSL - Tennessee Tempo 4-0 FC Birmingham
WPSL - 865 Alliance 7-0 FC Birmingham