Lower Alabama Report: October 8
Huntsville headed to the playoffs; Birmingham is eliminated
Birmingham Legion FC
Image credit: Loudon Times Mirror
Birmingham had two positive results last week, a 1-1 draw against North Carolina, and a 1-0 win over Loudon United. The Loudon win was just the fifth for Legion this season, and the first since July. Those are quality results against two of the top teams from the East, and they follow a 0-0 draw against San Antonio the week before. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late. Rhode Island's 3-0 win over Las Vegas on Sunday officially eliminated Birmingham (and Miami) from the playoffs. Legion is off this week, and has two games remaining. Their next match will be at home against Miami FC, and may determine who earns the wooden spoon for 2025.
Huntsville City FC
Image credit: Huntsville City
Huntsville got a big 3-0 win last weekend against Carolina Core for a strong finish to the regular season. The result put Huntsville in fifth place, while other results also saw Carolina hang on to eighth place, meaning both teams qualified for the playoffs for the first time. Huntsville has been streaky all season, and will be riding that streak into the playoffs. Their opponent will be decided in a schoolyard pick em on Thursday, with the game to be played on the road October 17-19. Huntsville's regular season record against three of the four hosting teams has been pretty good, but Chattanooga has their number, winning all three match-ups this year. And nobody wants to play on the road at Finley Stadium.
UPSL
Last week's results
FC Columbus Elite 0-5 Filial Pachuca
Columbus Knight Eagles 4-6 UMA FC II
This week's games
Georgia Impact vs FC Columbus Elite; Sunday, October 12 at 5:00 ET. Both teams have shown flashes and earned draws against teams that are top of the table. Impact hasn't lost at home, and they should win a close one here.
Angelus vs Columbus Knight Eagles; Sarurday, October 11 at 7:00 ET. Angelus is in the middle of the table, and started the season with a 3-3 draw against UMA. This should be another close game for the Eagles.
Other points of interest
The U20 USYNT has advanced to the knockout stage in World Cup competition after winning their group. Former Legion player (currently with Nashville) Matthew Corcoran is on the roster and has had opportunities to showcase his skills in set pieces, getting an assist in the game against South Africa. Next up is a game against Italy on Thursday, October 9 at 3:30 ET.
Three current Legion players have been called up for international duty: Phanuel Kavita (Rwanda), AJ Patterson (Grenada), and Ramiz Hamouda (USYNT U17). Hamouda will be in camp for preparations for the U17 World Cup in November. Rwanda is in World Cup qualifying, while Grenada is playing friendlies. The games scheduled are:
Rwanda vs Benin; Friday, October 10 at noon ET
South Africa vs Rwanda; Tuesday, October 14 at noon ET
Benin and South Africa are at the top of the AFCON Group C table. Rwanda probably needs to win both games to move forward in qualifying for the World Cup
Grenada vs British Virgin Islands; Wednesday, October 6 at 6:00 ET
Grenada vs Cuba; Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 ET