Birmingham Legion travels to Phoenix Rising for the first match of the season
MATCH INFO:
– USL Championship Match 1
– Phoenix Rising FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC
– Saturday, March 9
– 8:30pm CT Kickoff
– Phoenix Rising Stadium – Phoenix, AZ
– My68 & ESPN+
Birmingham Legion FC will begin the 2024 regular season this weekend against the 2023 USL Championship title winners, Phoenix Rising FC. Kick-off at Phoenix Rising Stadium is set for 8:30 PM CT. Tonight’s matchup will be streamed locally on My68 and ESPN+. For fans looking for a watch party head over to Ghost Train Brewing and cheer on the Black & Gold with Legion FC’s supporter’s group the Magic City Brigade.
The Legion had a busy preseason schedule playing against Atlanta United, Nashville SC, Chattanooga Red Wolves, Chattanooga FC, and in-state rivals Huntsville City FC, winning the last three. Phoenix Rising also had a busy preseason schedule, playing against Las Vegas Lights and Galaxy 2 and in the Coachella Valley Invitational against the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United.
This will be the third matchup between the clubs; Legion has a 1-0-1 record against Phoenix.
Legion FC Outlook
The last time these two clubs clashed was on April 4, 2023, when the club fell 1-2 in Birmingham. Both teams have undergone numerous changes since then. Legion FC has recently added experienced players, forward Mohamed Turay, forward Stefano Pinho, and defender AJ Paterson to its roster. The club has also made several new additions of young talent to the roster. The young recruits are Miguel Perez, Dawson McCartney, Mujeeb Murana, Finn Calloway, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, and Ramiz Hamouda.
During this preseason our defense has been our primary focus. While the Legion was a strong attacking team last season, the squad had the second-most goals allowed. The roster will give us strength and depth and the chance to create a sense of unpredictability in the game.
After the Phoenix match, the Black & Gold will continue an away game stretch against Hartford Athletic and Louisville City FC. The Legionnaires will return to Protective Stadium on April 7.
Phoenix Rising FC Outlook
Phoenix Rising ended the 2023 regular season in sixth place in the Western Conference. Having won three road playoff matches, two being in overtime and a penalty shootout against Charleston Battery, Phoenix Rising were named USL Championship winners.
A lot has changed since November 12, former coach Carlos Azocar has left the club, promoting assistant coach Danny Stone to head coach. Phoenix has bolstered its roster this off-season after losing three key players Carlos Harvey, Manuel Arteaga, and Danny Trejo. The most notable additions are MLS NEXT Pro co-Golden Boot winner Remi Cabral, 2023 College Cup winner Pape Mar Boye, and Juventus FC Academy product Guilio Doratiotto. Roccos Rios Novo, the Championship Final MVP, will be a key returning player for the Rising and a primary reinforcement in the backline.