BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – On Sunday afternoon, Birmingham Legion FC will be praying for a different result than its last bout with FC Tulsa.
In the last matchup between the two clubs, the Tulsa attack was able to pick apart the club from the Cotton State as the final minutes of the match approached. An early goal from Matt Sheldon put Tulsa in front, and late scores from Marlon in the 88’ minute and Kembo Kibato in the 90’+2 sealed the 3-1 victory for FC Tulsa.
Now, past the halfway point of the season, FC Tulsa will need to strike while the iron is hot.
Legion FC comes into the match amid a six-match stretch that has seen the club go 3-1-2, its only loss coming at the hands of FC Tulsa on August 7. This will be the third time Birmingham and Tulsa have gone head-to-head this season with both teams having come away with a win apiece over the first two meetings.
Coming off a loss in Louisville last weekend to the USL Championship point leaders, FC Tulsa will direct its focus to keeping pace with the other clubs in the division for Playoffs position, and beating Birmingham would help it do just that. Atlanta United 2 and Indy Eleven leapfrogged FC Tulsa in the standings this week, but a win at Birmingham would put Tulsa back into an advantageous position in the Central Division.
Kickoff from BBVA Field is set for 4:00 p.m. CT.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: MY41
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
Birmingham has built itself a fortress that seems impenetrable to visitors more often than not. At BBVA Field, opponents have only scored eight times in eight matches. Legion FC is 5-2-1 at home this season with a goal differential of +5 while also earning two clean sheets.
In total, Birmingham has only allowed 19 goals in 18 matches all season. Its defense, in tandem with leading goal-scorer Neco Brett, makes Legion FC a difficult team to match up against.
Neco Brett’s 11 goals lead the club and tie him for second in USL Championship in goals scored. Full-back Jonathan Dean leads the way with four assists, and keeper Matt Van Oekel has allowed only 16 goals in 16 matches, earning five clean sheets and making 50 saves.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Milke Joins FC Tulsa
On Wednesday, FC Tulsa announced its newest signing, center-back Víctor Milke. The Mexican defender has six years of Liga MX experience south of the border and most recently played for Club Atlético Morelia in Liga de Expansión MX. Milke brings great experience at a high level of play to FC Tulsa as the club looks to bolster its defense for the second half of the season.
2) Late Drama
In the last matchup between FC Tulsa and Birmingham Legion FC, the match was decided in the final two minutes of regulation. Matt Sheldon led the scoring with his first professional goal in 76 USL Championship appearances. Following a PK conversion from Birmingham, Marlon and Kembo Kibato scored in the 88’ and 90’+2 minutes respectively to lift Tulsa over Legion FC 3-1.
Late goals have been a theme for both clubs this season. Tulsa has conceded 13 times after the 60’ minute this season and has scored nine times itself. Meanwhile, 58% of Legion FC’s goals this season have come later than the 60’ minute.
3) Bourgeois' First FC Tulsa Score
Despite not being thrilled with FC Tulsa’s latest result last weekend in Louisville, FC Tulsa captain Bradley Bourgeois did have something to celebrate. In the 90’+2, Bourgeois headed in a rocket off the foot of Lebo Moloto to score his first career goal as a member of FC Tulsa. The goal unfortunately came a bit too late for the club to salvage a possible point, but the center-back was able to come away with his fifth career goal.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – On Sunday afternoon, Birmingham Legion FC will be praying for a different result than its last bout with FC Tulsa.
In the last matchup between the two clubs, the Tulsa attack was able to pick apart the club from the Cotton State as the final minutes of the match approached. An early goal from Matt Sheldon put Tulsa in front, and late scores from Marlon in the 88’ minute and Kembo Kibato in the 90’+2 sealed the 3-1 victory for FC Tulsa.
Now, past the halfway point of the season, FC Tulsa will need to strike while the iron is hot.
Legion FC comes into the match amid a six-match stretch that has seen the club go 3-1-2, its only loss coming at the hands of FC Tulsa on August 7. This will be the third time Birmingham and Tulsa have gone head-to-head this season with both teams having come away with a win apiece over the first two meetings.
Coming off a loss in Louisville last weekend to the USL Championship point leaders, FC Tulsa will direct its focus to keeping pace with the other clubs in the division for Playoffs position, and beating Birmingham would help it do just that. Atlanta United 2 and Indy Eleven leapfrogged FC Tulsa in the standings this week, but a win at Birmingham would put Tulsa back into an advantageous position in the Central Division.
Kickoff from BBVA Field is set for 4:00 p.m. CT.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: MY41
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
Birmingham has built itself a fortress that seems impenetrable to visitors more often than not. At BBVA Field, opponents have only scored eight times in eight matches. Legion FC is 5-2-1 at home this season with a goal differential of +5 while also earning two clean sheets.
In total, Birmingham has only allowed 19 goals in 18 matches all season. Its defense, in tandem with leading goal-scorer Neco Brett, makes Legion FC a difficult team to match up against.
Neco Brett’s 11 goals lead the club and tie him for second in USL Championship in goals scored. Full-back Jonathan Dean leads the way with four assists, and keeper Matt Van Oekel has allowed only 16 goals in 16 matches, earning five clean sheets and making 50 saves.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Milke Joins FC Tulsa
On Wednesday, FC Tulsa announced its newest signing, center-back Víctor Milke. The Mexican defender has six years of Liga MX experience south of the border and most recently played for Club Atlético Morelia in Liga de Expansión MX. Milke brings great experience at a high level of play to FC Tulsa as the club looks to bolster its defense for the second half of the season.
2) Late Drama
In the last matchup between FC Tulsa and Birmingham Legion FC, the match was decided in the final two minutes of regulation. Matt Sheldon led the scoring with his first professional goal in 76 USL Championship appearances. Following a PK conversion from Birmingham, Marlon and Kembo Kibato scored in the 88’ and 90’+2 minutes respectively to lift Tulsa over Legion FC 3-1.
Late goals have been a theme for both clubs this season. Tulsa has conceded 13 times after the 60’ minute this season and has scored nine times itself. Meanwhile, 58% of Legion FC’s goals this season have come later than the 60’ minute.
3) Bourgeois’ First FC Tulsa Score
Despite not being thrilled with FC Tulsa’s latest result last weekend in Louisville, FC Tulsa captain Bradley Bourgeois did have something to celebrate. In the 90’+2, Bourgeois headed in a rocket off the foot of Lebo Moloto to score his first career goal as a member of FC Tulsa. The goal unfortunately came a bit too late for the club to salvage a possible point, but the center-back was able to come away with his fifth career goal.
