Lower Alabama Report: June 25

Peanuts and Cola Derby 2; UMA FC in the playoffs; Busy slate for USL2

Birmingham Legion FC

Image credit: Birmingham Legion

Last week, Birmingham hit a high after beating Sacramento Republic 1-0 on a last-second goal by Sebastian Tregarthen. It was Mark Briggs’ first win at home. Unfortunately, the good feelings didn't last. Legion faced Oakland Roots on Saturday, and lost that one 0-1 after a foul in the box gave Oakland a penalty kick.

Birmingham's next game will be a road contest against Indy Eleven for the next round of the Jagermeister Cup. The contest is likely to decide the winner of Group B, with both teams sitting on six points, and with five goals scored. Neither team has had a great season (despite doing well in this Cup competition), and Indy beat Birmingham 1-0 just three weeks ago. The only potential edge for Legion is that Indy will be playing on three days rest after a road game against Tampa Bay. They'll kick off on Saturday, June 28 at 6:00.

Huntsville City FC

Last week saw HCFC draw 3-3 in regular time against Crown Legacy, and then lose the shootout. That result has Huntsville sitting in fourth place in the table as they hit the road this week against New York Red Bulls 2. The game will be on Sunday, June 29 at 2:00. New York is the top team in the East right now, ten points ahead of Huntsville. Red Bulls games have tended to be track meets, averaging 2.5 goals for, and 1.6 goals against. Don't expect this to be a 0-0 draw.

USL2

Feature match:

Image credit: Dothan United

Last week's feature saw Dothan United get a huge 3-0 win over Tennessee SC. For this week's feature we're going to see Dothan United again as they take on Columbus United on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30. Dothan is holding on to second place, and should be in a position to get a playoff spot. Columbus has been surging the past couple of weeks, and is making some noise just four points behind Dothan. This is the second leg of the Peanuts and Cola Derby, and it should be a great match.

Other results last week:

Montgomery United 0-2 Columbus United

Tennessee SC 1-3 Columbus United

Asheville City SC 1-0 Dothan United

Other matches this week:

Wed June 25 Legion 2 vs Tennessee SC at 7:00

Wed June 25 SSA vs Columbus United at 7:30

Wed June 25 Apotheos vs Dothan United at 7:30

Sat June 28 East Atlanta vs Legion 2 at 7:30

Sat June 28 SSA vs Montgomery United at 7:30

Tues July 1 East Atlanta vs Dothan United at 7:30

The League for Clubs

Feature match

Last week's feature match saw Union 10 win 6-1 over AFC Mobile in the 251 Derby. This week will see Union 10 play home-and-home against Gulf Coast United (dates/times below). Union will be favored to win both, and needs to stay focused. They're in the driver's seat in the Gulf Coast West, and need to finish strong to secure a first round home playoff game.

Other results:

AFC Mobile 0-4 Tallahassee SC

Sowegans 1-3 Union 10

This week's matches:

Wed June 25 Gulf Coast United vs Union 10 at 7:00

Sat June 28 Gulf Coast United vs AFC Mobile at 7:15

Mon June 30 Union 10 vs Gulf Coast United at 5:00

UPSL

Image credit: UMA FC

UMA FC pulled off a win last week in the first round of the playoffs, beating Dalton United in a shootout after the game ended in a 6-6 draw. Aidan Collins had a hat trick in that match, and Evan DeYoe had a brace. They're going to have to step up big again this week on the road against Kalonji Pro-Profile. KPP lost only once during the regular season, and had a couple of draws. UMA will need to dig deep. The game will be Saturday, June 28 with kickoff time TBD.

Women's matches

Feature match:

This week's feature will have Union 10 on the road to face Pensacola FC on Ftiday, June 27 at 7:00. Pensacola has clinched the division title, and this is the last game of their regular season. Union played them tight in the previous meeting, and lost 0-2. They'll be hoping to catch Pensacola with their guard down to steal a win.

Last week's results:

WPSL - Union 10 1-0 TLH Reckoning

WPSL - FC Birmingham 1-11 865 Alliance

This week's matches:

WPSL - Wed June 25 Union 10 vs Gulf Coast United at 5:15

USLW - Wed June 25 Legion WFC vs Tennessee SC at 4:00

WPSL - Fri June 27 Pensacola FC vs Union 10 at 7:00

USLW - Sat June 28 SSA vs Legion WFC at 3:30

WPSL - Sat June 28 Tennessee Tempo vs FC Birmingham at 6:00