Lower Alabama Report: May 14

Tons of matches this week

All times listed are Central. Beginning this week, the format is a change from previous reports, due to the influx of Summer league fixtures.

Birmingham Legion FC

Image credit: USL Championship

Rhode Island comes to town for a match on Wed night at 7:00, after a three game homestand in their new stadium. Those three games were stuffed into an eight day period, and included a 1-2 Open Cup loss to New England Revolution, sandwiched between two draws in league play against San Antonio and Monterey Bay. Legion have been training and resting since May 3rd, and will look to press matters from the start of the game. Legion have scored six goals in their two most recent home games, and will be looking for a big win in the first home game for Mark Briggs.

Birmingham has a short turn before Detroit City comes to town on Sunday May 18 at 4:00. Similar to Rhode Island, Detriot's past three matches involved two league draws, with an Open Club loss between (0-4 to Chicago). Detroit and Birmingham played to a 2-2 draw back on March 22, and Detroit has only lost one game in league play this season. Can Legion put togethet two wins in a row? I say yes.

Huntsville City FC

Huntsville was on the road last weekend for a fairly lackluster 0-0 draw against Carolina Core. The most noteworthy thing from the match is that one the top HCFC scorers, Christian Koffi, received a red card and will be unavailable against Chattanooga.

This weekend Huntsville brings in Chattanooga FC Saturday May 17 at 7:00. In addition to being the closest rival, CFC is also in first place in the East, while Huntsville is in second place. Chattanooga won the first match-up this season 1-0. Expect this to be a very intense game and for Huntsville to come out on top.

USL2

Image credit: Columbus United. Their new home, at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium

Feature match: Columbus United is at home against Tennessee SC Saturday May 17 6:30. Columbus made a deep run in last year's NPSL playoffs, and have a core of returning plsyers to build on. Tennessee SC finished in second place last year in the same USL2 division, and will be looking to assert themselves to start 2025.

Last week's results:

Montgomery United brought in Dothan United and won 1-0.

This week's games:

Montgomery will head to Dothan United to immediately re-match on Saturday May 17 at 7:30.

Legion 2 are away to face Southern Soccer Academy, Saturday May 17 at 6:00.

The League for Clubs

Image credit: AFC Mobile

Feature match: AFC Mobile will make the short trip over to face the Pensacola FC Academy team Wednesday May 14 at 7:00. Mobile had a tough time in 2024 and got thumped in their first preseason match against Dothan United. Pensacola has a very strong program that will be expected to put a strong team on the field. Will Mobile be able to put together a win here?

The other match this week:

AFC Mobile at home vs Gaffa FC Saturday May 17 at 7:15.

UPSL

Feature match: UMA will travel to face North Georgia United, Sunday May 18 at 3:00. UMA put together a commanding performance last week, and will face a big test this week against a North Georgia team that started the season strong, but have lost their last three in a row. With a win, UMA would move up level in the table with North Georgia, with a game in hand.

Last week's results:

FC Birmingham were at home against Limeno, losing 0-1.

UMA2 got thier second win, against FCB2, 3-1.

UMA were on the road against Soccer Saves Lives, and won 8-1.

Georgia Revolution dealt a hard blow to Fountain, winning 7-0.

Albion was the better side at home, and dispatched Columbus Elite 4-1.

The match between Columbus Knight Eagles and Albion Atlanta SC U23 was postponed due to weather.

This week's match-ups:

FCB at Filial Pachuca Saturday May 17 at 4:00.

Saturday May 17 Fountain City at Limeno at 6:00.

FC Columbus Elite at Georgia Revolution Saturday May 17 at 6:00.

Saturday May 17 Columbus Knight Eagles home vs Augusta SC at 2:30.

UMA 2 will be home vs Middle GA United Sunday May 18 at 12:30.

Sunday May 18 GA Revolution U23 travels to face FCB2 at 5:00.

Women's matches:

USLW - Thursday May 15, Legion WFC at home vs Chattanooga Red Wolves at 7:00.

WPSL - FC Birmingham will travel to 865 Alliance, Saturday May 17 at 3:00.

WPSL - Sunday May 18, Union 10 will be on the road at TLH Reckoning at 2:00.