2019 Birmingham Legion FC season
Birmingham Legion FC 2019 soccer season
The 2019 Birmingham Legion FC season was the club's inaugural season and their first in the USL Championship , the second tier of American soccer.[ 1] The season covers the period from the founding of the club to the start of the 2020 USL Championship season.
Roster
As of match played October 5, 2019[ 2]
No.
Name
Nationality
Position(s)
Date of birth (age)
Signed in
Previous club
Apps.
Goals
Goalkeepers
0
Joe Nasco
GK
(1984-06-18 ) June 18, 1984 (age 40)
2019
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
0
0
1
Matt Van Oekel
GK
(1986-09-20 ) September 20, 1986 (age 38)
2019
OKC Energy
27
0
18
Trevor Spangenberg
GK
(1991-04-21 ) April 21, 1991 (age 33)
2019
Richmond Kickers
6
0
Defenders
3
Kyle Fisher
DF
(1994-06-19 ) June 19, 1994 (age 30)
2019
Montreal Impact
21
0
12
Eric Avila
DF
(1987-11-24 ) November 24, 1987 (age 37)
2019
Las Vegas Lights
29
0
15
Akeem Ward
DF
(1996-01-06 ) January 6, 1996 (age 29)
2019
D.C. United
10
0
17
Gael Mabiala
DF
(1994-06-07 ) June 7, 1994 (age 30)
2019
UAB Blazers
11
0
22
Mathieu Laurent
DF
(1996-02-28 ) February 28, 1996 (age 28)
2019
UAB Blazers
27
2
23
Benjamin Kucera
DF
(1994-08-10 ) August 10, 1994 (age 30)
2019
Birmingham Hammers
4
0
30
Razak Cromwell
DF
(1994-10-03 ) October 3, 1994 (age 30)
2019
Dreams FC (loan)
19
0
33
Kyle Culbertson
DF
(1992-11-03 ) November 3, 1992 (age 32)
2019
Saint Louis FC
29
1
Midfielders
2
Marcos Ugarte
MF
(1992-12-02 ) December 2, 1992 (age 32)
2019
Ringkøbing
7
0
5
Mikey Lopez
MF
(1993-02-20 ) February 20, 1993 (age 31)
2019
San Antonio FC
26
3
6
Anderson Asiedu
MF
(1996-06-12 ) June 12, 1996 (age 28)
2019
Atlanta United FC
12
0
8
Joe Holland
MF
(1993-04-21 ) April 21, 1993 (age 31)
2019
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
15
0
14
Daniel Johnson
MF
(1995-09-08 ) September 8, 1995 (age 29)
2019
Chicago Fire
31
4
16
Daigo Kobayashi
MF
(1983-02-19 ) February 19, 1983 (age 41)
2019
Las Vegas Lights
19
0
21
Zachary Herivaux
MF
(1996-02-01 ) February 1, 1996 (age 28)
2019
New England Revolution (loan)
19
0
Forwards
7
Brian Wright
FW
(1995-03-24 ) March 24, 1995 (age 29)
2019
New England Revolution (loan)
23
5
9
Chandler Hoffman
FW
(1990-08-17 ) August 17, 1990 (age 34)
2019
Real Monarchs
19
5
10
Prosper Kasim
FW
(1996-12-15 ) December 15, 1996 (age 28)
2019
IFK Göteborg
32
7
11
JJ Williams
FW
(1998-01-04 ) January 4, 1998 (age 27)
2019
Columbus Crew SC (loan)
18
7
13
Tyler Savitsky
FW
(1996-07-05 ) July 5, 1996 (age 28)
2019
Næstved
0
0
27
Edward Opoku
FW
(1996-08-01 ) August 1, 1996 (age 28)
2019
Columbus Crew SC (loan)
18
2
88
Femi Hollinger-Janzen
FW
(1993-12-14 ) December 14, 1993 (age 31)
2019
New England Revolution
20
1
Non-competitive
Preseason
Although Legion FC officially announced just one preseason game, the matchup against Nashville SC on February 16,[ 3] the club wound up playing a four-game preseason schedule ahead of its inaugural season. Two of the four games were against fellow USL Championship clubs, with one fixture against a team from Major League Soccer and one against a USL League One opponent. The first two preseason matches saw Birmingham as the road team, with Legion FC hosting the final two games at BBVA Field .
Competitive
USL Championship
Standings
Source:
USL Championship Standings Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
Results by round
Round 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 4 34 Stadium H H A A H H A A H A H H A A H A A H H H A A H A A A H A H A H A H H Result L L W W D W L D L D L L L L D L L W W W D W W W D W L L W L D P
Match results
The league announced home openers for every club on December 14, 2018. Legion FC were initially set to play the inaugural match in club history on March 9, facing Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Field ;[ 4] the game would later be postponed to March 10 due to inclement weather.[ 5]
The full Birmingham schedule was released on December 19. Legion FC's inaugural season will consist of 34 matches, with home and away games against every Eastern Conference opponent. The club will be one of six new teams in the Eastern Conference: Hartford Athletic , Loudoun United , and Memphis 901 are also joining as expansion clubs, while Saint Louis FC and Swope Park Rangers move over from the Western Conference .[ 6]
USL Cup Playoffs
U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL Championship, Birmingham Legion will enter the tournament in the second round, to be played May 15, 2019.[ 10]
Statistics
Appearances and goals
Disciplinary record
Clean sheets
Transfers
In
Pos.
Player
Transferred from
Fee/notes
Date
Source
FW
Chandler Hoffman
Real Monarchs
Signed to a multi-year pre-contract, effective Jan 1, 2019.
Jul 30, 2018
[ 11]
MF
Mikey Lopez
San Antonio FC
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Nov 13, 2018
[ 12]
MF
Joe Holland
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Nov 20, 2018
[ 13]
GK
Matt Van Oekel
OKC Energy
OKC receives an undisclosed fee. Signed to a multi-year contract.
Dec 12, 2018
[ 14]
MF
Marcos Ugarte
Ringkøbing
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Dec 19, 2018
[ 15]
DF
Eric Avila
Las Vegas Lights
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Dec 21, 2018
[ 16]
FW
Prosper Kasim
IFK Göteborg
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Jan 2, 2019
[ 17]
FW
Femi Hollinger-Janzen
New England Revolution
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Jan 7, 2019
[ 18]
DF
Marcel Appiah
VfL Osnabrück
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Jan 9, 2019
[ 19]
DF
Kyle Fisher
Montreal Impact
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Jan 17, 2019
[ 20]
MF
Daigo Kobayashi
Las Vegas Lights
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Jan 21, 2019
[ 21]
DF
Mathieu Laurent
UAB Blazers
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Jan 28, 2019
[ 22]
DF
Gael Mabiala
UAB Blazers
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Jan 28, 2019
[ 22]
MF
Daniel Johnson
Chicago Fire
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Feb 15, 2019
[ 23]
DF
Tyler Turner
Orlando SeaWolves
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Feb 20, 2019
[ 24]
GK
Trevor Spangenberg
Richmond Kickers
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Feb 21, 2019
[ 25]
DF
Benjamin Kucera
Birmingham Hammers
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Feb 27, 2019
[ 26]
FW
Tyler Savitsky
Næstved
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Feb 27, 2019
[ 26]
DF
Kyle Culbertson
Saint Louis FC
Signed to a multi-year contract.
Mar 7, 2019
[ 27]
GK
Joe Nasco
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
[ 2]
MF
Anderson Asiedu
Atlanta United FC
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Jul 15, 2019
[ 28]
DF
Akeem Ward
D.C. United
Terms of the contract were undisclosed.
Jul 30, 2019
[ 29]
Loan in
Pos.
Player
Parent club
Length/Notes
Beginning
End
Source
DF
Razak Cromwell
Dreams FC
Duration of the 2019 USL Championship season , with an option to buy.
Nov 27, 2018
[ 30]
MF
Zachary Herivaux
New England Revolution
On a match-by-match basis.
Mar 14, 2019
May 25, 2019
[ 31] [ 32]
Jul 13, 2019
[ 33]
FW
Brian Wright
New England Revolution
On a match-by-match basis.
Mar 14, 2019
Apr 18, 2019
[ 31] [ 34]
May 18, 2019
[ 35]
FW
Edward Opoku
Columbus Crew SC
Duration of the 2019 USL Championship season .
Mar 22, 2019
[ 36]
FW
JJ Williams
Columbus Crew SC
On a match-by-match basis.
Apr 12, 2019
Apr 20, 2019
[ 37] [ 38]
May 9, 2019
Jun 23, 2019
[ 39] [ 40]
Jul 13, 2019
[ 33]
Out
Pos.
Player
Transferred to
Fee/notes
Date
Source
DF
Marcel Appiah
VfR Aalen
No longer listed on roster. Signed for Aalen on Jul 30, 2019.
Jul 22, 2019
[ 41] [ 42]
DF
Tyler Turner
Contract terminated by mutual consent.
Aug 14, 2019
[ 43]
Awards
Kits
Type
Shirt
Shorts
Socks
First appearance / Record
Home
Black
Black
Black
Match 1 vs. Bethlehem / 6–2–8
Away
White
White
White
Match 3 vs. Louisville / 6–5–6
See also
References
^ Humphries, Clayton (December 14, 2018). "Inaugural Legion FC match set for March 9, 2019" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019 .
^ a b "Birmingham Legion roster" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 16, 2019). "Exhibition friendly against Nashville SC highlights inaugural Legion FC preseason schedule" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (December 14, 2018). "Inaugural Legion FC match set for March 9, 2019" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ a b Legion FC Communications Team (March 7, 2019). "Birmingham Legion FC postpones franchise opener" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (December 19, 2018). "Legion FC's 2019 USL Championship schedule unveiled" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Wray, Cheryl (March 30, 2019). "Birmingham Legion FC match at Louisville delayed until Sunday by stormy weather" . AL.com . Alabama Media Group. Retrieved March 31, 2019 .
^ a b Legion FC Communications Team (April 6, 2019). "Legion FC match vs. New York Red Bulls II postponed" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (April 16, 2019). "Legion FC home match vs. New York Red Bulls II rescheduled for October 16" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019 .
^ "2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Format and Schedule Finalized" . USSoccer.com . United States Soccer Federation. January 31, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Inabinett, Mark (July 30, 2018). "Chandler Hoffman coming home as Birmingham Legion FC's first player" . AL.com . Alabama Media Group. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Hawes, Don (November 13, 2018). "Birmingham Legion FC signs midfielder Mikey Lopez" . WVTM13.com . WVTM-TV . Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (November 20, 2018). "Legion FC signs midfielder Joseph Holland" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (December 12, 2018). "Legion FC acquires goalkeeper Matrt Van Oekel" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (December 19, 2018). "Legion FC signs midfielder Marcos Ugarte" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (December 21, 2018). "Legion FC signs defender Eric Avila" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 2, 2019). "Legion FC signs forward Prosper Kasim" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 7, 2019). "Legion FC signs forward Femi Hollinger-Janzen" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 9, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Marcel Appiah" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 17, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Kyle Fisher" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (January 21, 2019). "Legion FC signs midfielder Daigo Kobayashi" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ a b Legion FC Communications Team (January 28, 2019). "Legion FC signs former UAB defenders Gael Mabiala, Mathieu Laurent" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (February 15, 2019). "Legion FC signs midfielder Daniel Johnson" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (February 20, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Tyler Turner" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (February 21, 2019). "Legion FC signs goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ a b Legion FC Communications Team (February 27, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Kucera, forward Savitsky" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (March 7, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Kyle Culbertson" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (July 15, 2019). "Legion FC signs midfielder Anderson Asiedu" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC . Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019 .
^ Legion FC Communications Team (July 30, 2019). "Legion FC signs defender Akeem Ward" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC . Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2019 .
^ "USL side Birmingham Legion FC sign Dreams FC left back Razak Cromwell" . GhanaSoccernet.com . Ghana Soccernet. December 13, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ a b Nye, Josh (March 15, 2019). "Revs loan Zachary Herivaux and Brian Wright to USL's Birmingham Legion F.C." TheBentMusket.com . SB Nation. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ "Revolution and D.C. United play to 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium" . RevolutionSoccer.com . New England Revolution. May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019 .
^ a b "Birmingham Legion 1–0 North Carolina FC" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship . July 13, 2019. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (April 18, 2019). "Forward Brian Wright recalled by New England Revolution" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019 .
^ @JoeGoodmanJr (May 18, 2019). "Chandler Hoffman not in the starting lineup tonight for Birmingham Legion FC. #3Sparks at North Carolina FC and playing well in the opening mins. Brian Wright, on loan from NE Revolution, giving Hoffman a break with Nashville at home on Wednesday" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ "Birmingham Legion FC chief Jay Heaps lauds new signing Edward Opoku" . GhanaSoccernet.com . Ghana Soccernet. March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019 .
^ Murphy, Pat (April 12, 2019). "Kempin, Argudo, Williams sent on one-game loans to USL Championship teams" . MassiveReport.com . SB Nation. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019 .
^ "Columbus Crew SC 1–3 Portland Timbers" . ColumbusCrewSC.com . Columbus Crew SC. April 20, 2019. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (May 9, 2019). "Forward JJ Williams rejoins Legion FC to take on Louisville City FC" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019 .
^ "Columbus Crew SC 0–1 Sporting Kansas City" . ColumbusCrewSC.com . Columbus Crew SC. June 23, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "@marcel.appiah: "Thank you" to everyone who has joined me on this journey and helped me to broaden my horizon..." Instagram.com . Instagram . July 22, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2019 .
^ Okai Gyimah, Edmund (July 30, 2019). "Exclusive: Appiah signs for VFR Aalen" . DailyMailGH.com . Dailymailgh. Retrieved July 30, 2019 .
^ Humphries, Clayton (August 14, 2019). "Legion FC parts ways with defender Tyler Turner" . BHMLegion.com . Birmingham Legion FC . Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019 .
International
Club competitions National teams