Birmingham ended Tampa’s 11-game unbeaten run thanks to a great team effort and a goal by Enzo Martinez
BIRMINGHAM, AL (July 15, 2023) – Birmingham Legion FC beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday with a 1-0 scoreline, earning itself three points against the Florida side to sweep them for the season. The last time the two sides met on April 1, Legion beat Tampa 2-0. This time they were at Protective Stadium and got the win while Tampa were the hottest team in the league, ending its unbeaten streak of 11 matches.
By the 25th minute of the first half, there was only one shot on target. A chance created by youngster Matthew Corcoran for the Black & Gold. The 17-year-old drove down the middle of the pitch and forced a difficult save. For the rest of the first half, Tampa kept itself organized and engaged in a high press, trying to win the ball when Birmingham possessed the ball. Legion dealt with their press well, though, and led the first half in shots on target (two to zero).
“We contained the press very well,” said Head Coach Tommy Soehn. “I don’t think we gave too many real good looks. I’m going to have to re-watch it, but I don’t remember any real dangerous things that Matt had to face. But, we were back behind the ball and we were able to defend well and turned some of that into chances. And if anything, I think we probably missed some really good looks, and credit to their goalie, he made a couple of big saves too.”
Head Coach Soehn made some tactical changes at halftime, and four minutes into it Enzo Martinez got on the end of a quick build-up play to put the Legionnaires up one goal in the 49th minute. Birmingham would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the match. Starting in the back, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel sent a pin-point ball over the top to an onrushing Prosper Kasim. Kasim set it out in front of himself with a delicate touch and fed a cross to an open Martinez who hammered it into the net.
Kasim’s assist makes it five on the year for him, tied with Legion’s Martinez for the most in the Championship. Martinez now leads Birmingham in goals scored with eight (tied for third in the Championship).
“I always want to be a team player, and I also can play multiple positions,” said Kasim on evolving his role on the squad this season to be more of a chance creator. “On the field, I always try my best to either create or to score. So, if I have to create it, I’m always there. And if I have to finish, I’m always there. It’s just something that I love to do. Especially creating chances, and scoring goals is just a part of it.”
The lone goal of the match, a connection between VanOekel, Kasim, and Martinez, was straight out of Soehn’s preparation for this game.
“What I was really pleased with was that the goal we scored was actually worked on this week,” said Soehn. “We saw that as a vulnerability for them. And Prosper’s touch on the ball that Matt laid and then the service to Enzo, and Enzo’s ability to get in the crease, it was exactly what we worked on, so I was really pleased with that.”
Box Score:
| 1st Half | 2nd Half | |
| Birmingham | 0 | 1 |
| Tampa Bay | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
BHM – 49’ – #19 Enzo Martinez (assisted by #10 Prosper Kasim)
Starting XI:
BHM – 4-4-3 – #1 Matt VanOekel; #3 Phanuel Kavita, #16 Gabriel Alves (87’ – #33 Moses Mensah), #21 Alex Crognale, #4 Collin Smith; #6 Anderson Asiedu, #17 Matthew Corcoran, #19 Enzo Martinez; #15 Tyler Pasher (78’ – #7 Diba Nwegbo), #10 Prosper Kasim (67’ – #11 Neco Brett), #9 Juan Agudelo
The Legionnaires hit the road NEXT SATURDAY on July 22nd to take on local rivals Louisville FC! Tune in to My68 or ESPN+ to watch the match and cheer on the Black & Gold!
For all club news and updates, fans are encouraged to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and sync our 2023 schedule to your calendar HERE.
