MIAMI, Fla. – Birmingham Legion FC battled back from a first-half deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against Miami FC on Sunday evening at Pitbull Stadium. Peter-Lee Vassell came off the bench to score the equalizer in the 78th minute, helping Legion secure a valuable point on the road.

Miami controlled much of the early possession and found the breakthrough just before halftime. Arney Rocha scored in the 41st minute to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

Birmingham grew into the match during the second half, creating several quality opportunities while continuing to pressure Miami’s back line. Head coach Jay Heaps turned to his bench in the 70th minute, introducing Nico Brown, Peter-Lee Vassell and Romario Williams before adding Sebastián Saucedo and Serge Ngoma six minutes later in search of an equalizer.

The substitutions paid off just eight minutes later.

In the 78th minute, Vassell found the back of the net to level the match at 1-1, scoring his second goal of the USL Championship season and rescuing a point for Legion.

Miami finished with more possession and generated 2.26 expected goals, but Birmingham remained dangerous throughout the night with 16 total shots and 10 corner kicks. Goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat came up with five saves to help preserve the draw. ” A big part of set pieces is the keeper controlling the box,” Heaps says, “he’s a great shot stopper… It’s a balance.”

Samuel Shashoua once again orchestrated Birmingham’s attack, creating a match-high five chances while completing 66 passes. Sebastian Tregarthen contributed on both ends of the field with two shots and three successful tackles, while Vassell made an immediate impact off the bench with the equalizing goal.

The result gives Birmingham Legion FC an important road point as the club returns home looking to build momentum during the second half of the USL Championship season.

Legion hosts FC Tulsa this Saturday, July 11, where Kate Flannery, who played Meredith from “The Office,” will hold a meet and greet.