MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at Indy Eleven
Wednesday, August 09
6:00 pm CT Kickoff
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
Birmingham Legion FC are back on the road tomorrow with a mid-week Wednesday game against Indy Eleven in Indianapolis. Coming off of a loss in Colorado on August 4, the Black & Gold will look to get a result as they continue their pursuit for a home playoff spot by reaching the top four of the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
“All games are must-wins,” is a phrase heard a lot in Head Coach Tommy Soehn’s locker room. The same goes for Wednesday night’s match in Indianapolis. As the Legionnaires sit sixth in the Eastern Conference on 29 points in 21 matches played, every match from here on out must be viewed as a must-win if the team hopes to catch the fourth-place spot required to get a home playoff game at the end of the season. It is currently occupied by Louisville FC who have 35 points in 22 matches played.
In its last outing, Legion FC fell to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks after the hosts scored in the 84th minute. Legion left a mark, however, as Neco Brett scored arguably the best goal in Legion history with a bicycle kick in the 58th minute that equalized the score at 1-1. Scoring the theatrical goal from almost 18 yards away from the goal, his strike was honored as the top play in Sports Center’s Top Ten the following day.
Brett and the rest of Legion FC will look to hammer in more goals Wednesday night against a side that does not let in a lot of goals. Birmingham has scored 30 goals this season compared to Indy Eleven’s 24, but has conceded 35. Indy, on the other hand, has only conceded 26. The Black & Gold have the firepower up top but will have to be very lethal against the defensively organized Eleven.
Opponent Info
Indy Eleven: 6W – 9L – 7D / 24 Goals Scored – 26 Goals Allowed / 25 Points / 9th in USLC Eastern Conference
H2H: BHM – 6W – 0D – 3L
Birmingham leads Indy Eleven in head-to-head match-ups with six wins and three losses to the Indianapolis side.
When the two sides last met in USL Championship action on June 17, Legion triumphed 2-1 at Protective Stadium. Diba Nwegbo scored first for Birmingham in the 55th minute, and then Enzo Martínez got on the scoresheet. Sebastián Guenzatti scored for Indy Eleven in the 56th minute just moments after Legion’s goal.
Indy has fire in its offense through Aodhan Quinn (eight goals) and Guenzatti (four goals), who lead their side in goals scored this season. Guenzatti also leads in shots (29). Most impressively with this team, however, is its defense led by goalkeeper Yannik Oettl who has six clean sheets.
To keep up to date on all things Legion FC, 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.
