
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs FC Tulsa
Wednesday, August 23
7:00 pm CT Kickoff
ONEOK Field – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
Birmingham Legion FC travels to Oklahoma on Wednesday, August 23 to take on FC Tulsa.
Short on rest after beating Louisville FC at home on Saturday, the Black & Gold make a quick turnaround to play another important game in regard to the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings. FC Tulsa sits in 8th place with 29 points, and Legion are just ahead of them in 7th place with 33 points. Both teams know how important a game like this is. With only ten matches left in the regular season, the Black & Gold must pick up as many points as it can.
Legion FC’s Form
Birmingham was in a rut of form for the first half of August, losing two and drawing one of its first three games. During its victory over Louisville FC, however, the Alabama side looked like an entirely different team. Its defense was organized, and the team had a fluidity about them that displayed their chemistry.
“I think today was one of the first times I really saw us truly fight as a family and a team,” said goalkeeper Matt VanOekel after Legion’s 2-0 shutout over LouCity. “So, I look forward to continuing that against the Tulsa team.”
Enzo Martinez and Neco Brett both netted goals in Birmingham’s 2-0 victory, but youngster Diba Nwegbo was all the talk. The 21-year-old was directly involved in both goals and was felt all across the pitch, earning himself the honor of being named Man of the Match. Martinez and Nwegbo both made the USL Championship’s Team of the Week thanks to their performances.
Brett’s goal was his 33rd in a Birmingham shirt and his 75th USL Championship regular season goal. For Martinez, who leads the Black & Gold in goals scored, it was his ninth of the season.
Birmingham will be missing its crucial center back Alex Crognale tomorrow due to yellow card accumulation. This is only the second regular season game Crognale has missed this season. Legion will have to make adjustments to fill in any holes left because of his suspension.
Opponent Info
FC Tulsa: 7W – 10L – 8D / 29 Goals Scored – 40 Goals Allowed / 29 Points / 8th in USLC Eastern Conference
H2H: TUL – 4W – 1D – 2L
In its last match, the Roughnecks lost 2-1 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The hosts come into the match on a four-game winless streak. Philip Goodrum (eight) and Marcus Epps (6) lead Tulsa in scoring. The pair will look to threaten Legion’s defense which will be missing its 6′ 5″ center back Crognale.
In head-to-head match-ups, the Roughnecks have the edge on Birmingham. Tulsa has won four of the seven matches the two sides have played against one another, while Birmingham has won two and the pair have drawn against each other once.
The Roughnecks and the Legionnaires have had their defensive problems throughout the 2023 season. Both sides have conceded the fourth most USL Championship goals (40) and are tied on the number of clean sheets they have earned (five). As teams looking to improve their defensive structure, it will be interesting to see how they pair up.
FiveThirtyEight Prediction:
Birmingham: 36%
Tulsa: 38%
Draw: 26%
To keep up to date on all things Legion FC, Legion encourages its fans 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.