Lower Alabama Report: May 21

A relatively light week has some important match-ups

Birmingham Legion FC

Birmingham is looking to get their first win since Mark Briggs came aboard as head coach. So far, his tenure has seen two draws and a loss. The 0-1 loss to Rhode Island last week on Wednesday was a disappointing, low-energy affair that lacked effort, and still offered opportunities for Legion to come away with points. And then Sunday's game saw Birmingham get a draw against Detroit City for the second time this season. The energy and team effort were a huge improvement over mid-week, but Legion couldn't overcome some horrific referee calls and no-calls to come away with three points.

The Legion will be on the road this week against Miami FC Saturday May 24 at 6:00. Anyone that was looking ahead and penciling this in as an easy Birmingham win should get their eraser out and think again. Miami has three wins and a draw from their four most recent league games, with a Jagermeister win over Tampa Bay mixed in for good measure. They're not putting in a ton of goals, but they're also not conceding many. Birmingham needs to find their way against a team that has apparently just gotten things figured out for themselves.

Huntsville City FC

Image credit: Huntsville City

Last week's rematch between Huntsville City and Chattanooga FC saw CFC sneak away with all three points in a 2-1 win. HCFC outplayed Chattanooga for the entirety of the match, but couldn't quite get it done. The loss allowed NY Red Bulls 2 to hop over Huntsville in the table, while allowing CFC to stay in first place.

Huntsville will cross over into Canada for this week's game against Toronto FC 2 Friday May 23 at 6:00. On paper, everything points to a Huntsville win here. HCFC has been more productive in scoring goals, and I would expect them to bounce back here and get a win.

USL2

Last week's feature match saw Tennessee SC draw against Columbus United 1-1. TNSC has taken a quick four points as road warriors to start the season, including a first week win over Apotheos. This week's feature match will pit Birmingham Legion 2 at home against Columbus United, Wednesday May 21 at 7:00. Birmingham got a win last week in their opening game (2-0 at Southern Soccer Academy) and will be looking to build on that against a Columbus team that is expected to be among the top of the division. A win by Legion should be considered a minor upset.

Other results last week:

Dothan 3 Montgomery United 1, to split the season series.

Also this week:

Saturday May 24, Columbus vs Dothan, 7:30. The Peanut-Cola Derby begins.

The League for Clubs

Image credit: Gaffa FC

Last week's feature match saw Gaffa FC make short work of AFC Mobile, winning 6-1. Mobile showed some improvement against a Gaffa squad that has scored 11 goals and conceded 1 after two games.

This week's only Lower Alabama match in TLfC will be Wednesday May 21 at 7:00, Pensacola Academy at home vs Union 10. This will be Union's first game of the season, and they'll be hoping to hand Pensacola their first loss.

UPSL

Last week's feature match had a surging UMA FC on the road against a slumping North Georgia United. UMA won handily, 7-2. This week's feature match will be a showdown between UMA FC at home against Limeno on Sunday May 25 at 4:00. Limeno has won three games in a row by close margins where UMA has been scoring goals in bunches. Look for UMA to get three points and continue their climb up the table.

Other results:

FCB fell 0-3 on the road to Filial Pachuca.

Saturday May 17 Fountain City were on the road against Limeno, and lost 1-5.

FC Columbus Elite traveled to Georgia Revolution and took a hard loss, 0-5.

Columbus Knight Eagles continue to slide down the table, losing at home vs Augusta SC 1-5.

UMA 2 lost a high-scoring affair at home to Middle Georgia United, 3-5.

FCB2 were away to GA Revolution U23 and lost 1-4.

Next week:

May 24 - Georgia Athletic vs FC Birmingham, 2:00

May 24 - Augusta SC vs FCB2, 2:00

May 24 - Albion Atlanta U23 vs Columbus Knight Eagles, 2:00

May 25 - UMA2 vs Limeno 3, 6:00

Women's matches

Feature match: This week's feature was an easy choice. Legion WFC will be away against Asheville City Saturday May 24 at 4:30. Asheville is going to be very tough, as always, and Legion will be looking to pull off an upset during a difficult stretch as road warriors. I expect Legion to rotate the squad, and be very competitive here.

Last week's results:

WPSL - The match for FC Birmingham against 865 Alliance was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

WPSL - Union 10 lost on the road at TLH Reckoning, 1-5.

Next week:

USLW - May 21, One Knox vs Legion WFC, 6:00

USLW - May 24, Asheville vs Legion WFC, 4:30