Preview: Birmingham Legion v. Atlanta United

New beginnings on both sides

October 26, 2024. That’s the last time the Legion played a game, a 5-0 shellacking of the Oakland Roots on the road. 97 days ago.

October 13, 2024. That’s the last time the Legion played a home game, an embarrassing 0-3 defeat to the Las Vegas Lights. 110 days ago.

That’s far too long to go without seeing our boys in action, but the forced famine finally comes to an end tomorrow as the Three Sparks kick off preseason against the visiting Atlanta United. The game starts at 3:30pm with a weather forecast of sunny and 62°. What more could you ask for?

Well, a game that actually means something, but we will have to wait until March 8th for that. This will be an interesting test for a team that has undergone some significant changes in the offseason. Most obviously, the Legion has added serious scoring talent.

Ronaldo Damus – who says he is settling in nicely with the team – told the Forge he is excited for the opportunity to get things rolling on the field. He sees it as a good test as the team has mostly been focused on physical training so far and that this will be a good way to get the second week of training under way. Ronaldo also sees coming to Birmingham as a challenge and that “the goal is to do everything [for] my side to win the championship.”

Similarly, Danny Trejo feels good about being here and working with the team. Asked if he had options after leaving Korona Kielce – which was his decision, it turns out. “Everybody was interested in knowing what my situation is and where I want to go. So, yes, I had a lot of options, some back in USL, some back in Europe…I ended up in Birmingham for different reasons and I’m happy to be here.” It;s always good to have players who chose the team over others, whatever those “different reasons” might be. I asked him how he felt about coming to a team that missed the playoffs last year and it didn’t seem to faze him at all. “You know, [in] the USL you see it all the time…there’s teams that one season they go not making the playoffs to being a contender…The team is very motivated, the coaching staff is also very motivated. We’re going to take every step [to win the championship.” Like Ronaldo he said the team has been taking small steps to date and thinks Saturday will be a good test.

Coach Tommy Soehn is likewise in a positive mood. As far as adding striking talent is concerned he said, “It’s just nice to see the options and see how early they build some chemistry. In addition to proven stars the team has also been picking some youthful players. “I think it was time…we’ve had a lot of the same guys over a long period of time. I think getting younger and more athletic is kind of where the league is taking things, so we have to keep up.” I probed about the obvious holes the team still needs to fill, namely, the midfield. He was moderately forthcoming: “We’re continuing looking to add before the season starts. We’ve got our eyes on a couple of guys yet that we want to add.” So, still more to come hopefully. I also asked him about any tactical changes the team will implement to best use the new players. “That’s the 6-week question,” was his response, meaning that’s how long they to figure it all out before the season starts.

The team does have a few trialists in camp and it’s likely that tomorrow alongside the new faces we can put names to there will be a couple we can’t. Unfortunately there will be a couple of recognizable players we won’t see tomorrow due to injury. I am not at liberty to disclose who they are but I understand they are recuperating well.

The visitors will be in something of a similar situation. The most notable new face for United will be their head coach. The club gave Mexican Gonzalo Pineda the heave-ho in midseason last year and finished the year with assistant Rob Valentino in his second stint as interim head coach. The new head coach is Norwegian Ronny Deila. This is his 9th head coaching assignment but he already has a proven track record in MLS, having taken NYCFC to the title in 2021. Atlanta has already played one preseason game, losing 1-2 at Chattanooga FC. Deila said he got bored with the game and was frustrated with the club’s slow development out of the backfield. Expect to see a more aggressive approach tomorrow.

The $64,00 question though is – will we get to see Miguel Almiron at Protective? The Atlanta legend was reacquired from Newcastle just this week. He is in Atlanta and should be game fit with the Premier League being in midseason. Hopefully we will. One player we certainly will not see is Emmanuel Latte Lath. The Ivorian striker, currently with Middlesbrough, has been Atlanta’s top target and they are offering $22 million for him. A deal is reportedly close but has not yet been finalized.

Lastly, if you absolutely positively can’t make the game – in which case shame on you – it will be streamed live here.