Lower Alabama Report: July 9
Legion needs to get a win; USL2 is closing out the regular season
Birmingham Legion FC
Credit: Birmingham Legion. MVO made team of the week, and they'll need the big guy this week
Legion had two tough opponents last week, and came away from both games with draws. A 0-0 result against Charleston and a 1-1 result against Rhode Island mean that Birmingham has put up three draws in a row. They've had a ton of chances that they haven't converted, and a breakthrough feels imminent.
This week they'll be on the road Friday night, July 11 against North Carolina FC at 6:30. North Carolina is up at fourth place in the table, riding on the strength of their defense. They've allowed only 15 goals, which puts them in the company of Louisville and Charleston defensively. On the other hand, they've only scored 19, just three more than Legion. Birmingham will come in with some question marks on defense. Kavita looked to pull a hamstring against Rhode Island, and could be out of commission here. Additionally, Hamouda had just come back from concussion protocols, and then took a knock to the head against Indy. Legion still have four solid center backs on the roster, and may need them all against North Carolina. This should be a low-scoring game, unless Birmingham gets their breakout.
Huntsville City FC
Huntsville is coming in to this week off of a big 2-1 win over NY Red Bulls 2. They're on the road again this week, this time against Cincinnati FC 2. It will be the first time the two teams have met this season, and Cincy will be on a short turn after a road match against Atlanta United 2 on Wed night. Four of Cincinnati's past five matches have ended in draws, and they've won each shootout. They're lower in the table, but a very dangerous team. Huntsville will have their hands full herr. The game is Sunday, July 13 at 5:00.
USL2
Credit: Dothan United. They're keeping their foot on the gas on the way to the playoffs
The USL 2 regular season will conclude this week. Dothan United has secured second place in the South Central, and is waiting to see who they'll face in the first round of the playoffs. It's been an extremely entertaining and competitive season, and there's still plenty to be sorted out for final standings.
Results last week:
Legion 2 2-1 Montgomery United
SSA 4-1 Columbus United
SSA 2-2 Montgomery United
Dothan United 5-1 East Atlanta FC
Matches this week:
Wed July 9 Tennessee SC vs Birmingham Legion 2 at 7:00
Wed July 9 Apotheos FC vs Columbus United at 7:30
Sat July 12 East Atlanta FC vs Montgomery United at 7:30
The League for Clubs
The regular season is over, and The League for Clubs is quickly moving into the playoffs. Union 10 is the top team from the West, and will play their semifinal at home against Tallahassee SC Wednesday, July 9 at 5:15. These two teams didn't face each other during the regular season, but Tallahassee has been battling Pensacola for the top spot in the East. Union 10 will be a slight underdog here, and will have a chip on their shoulder - Pensacola and Tallahassee have gotten most of attention this season. The winner will face the survivor of the Gaffa/Pensacola semifinal that's also being played on Wed night.
Other results:
Union 10 5-0 Pensacola Academy
AFC Mobile 1-2 Pensacola Academy
UPSL
UMA FC's playoff run came to an end on Saturday night. They lost a hard-fought defensive duel against Potros FC, 0-1. Potros moves on the national round of 32. The loss by UMA ends the season for Lower Alabama clubs, and we'll see them start back up in the Fall season.