Quick Summary:
BIRMINGHAM, ALA (April 7, 2024) – Birmingham Legion FC defeated Loudoun United FC in its first home match of the season. Loudoun United FC took the lead in the 48th minute with a goal from Abdellatif Aboukoura. Legion got the equalizer in the 67th minute when Pasher made a backheel shot but was counted as a Loudoun own goal. Legion later took the lead in the 74th minute through Tyler Pasher who fired a brilliant stunner. The Three Sparks doubled its lead in the 95th minute with a goal from newcomer Mujeeb Murana.
First half:
The Black & Gold found its first big chance in the 11th minute with a shot from Enzo Martinez but it went a bit wide. In the 19th minute, Loudoun’s Zach Ryan had a great chance with a freekick but his shot hit the woodwork. Legion FC and Loudoun United failed to find any goals during the first half.
Second half:
At the start of the second half, Loudoun came in with a burst of energy and was able to find the back of the net in the 48th minute when Abdellatif Aboukoura scored a brilliant strike from outside the box.
Legion made a breakthrough in the 67th minute when Enzo Martinez, Tabort Etaka, and Tyler Pasher made a great run. Etaka got in behind Loudoun’s defenders and made a pass to Pasher who was able to get a backheel touch on the ball but collided with a Loudoun defender and was called a Loudoun own goal.
“We grew through the game,” said Head Coach Tom Soehn. “We were timid early, and then once we figured out what it was all about, we did a really good job of making it hard for them.”
Legion kept pressing high and ultimately was rewarded. Legion took the lead in the 74th minute when newcomer Dawson McCartney made a brilliant pass to Pasher who found himself behind the defenders and was able to put one in the back of the net.
“Our subs came in and did a great job,” said Soehn. “ All of them impacted the game in the right way, and that’s just so important”
Legion was not satisfied with the score and continued to put pressure until the very last minute.
“We have to grow from that and continue to build off that,” said Soehn. “We have to manage the wins in the right way and then turn it into hard work next week.”
Enzo Martinez delivered a great pass to Mujeeb Murana who was able to score from outside the box in the 95th minute, giving the Legion a 3-1 victory over the Virginia side.
“The team will definitely have a confidence boost, but we have to not be too high and not be too low off the result from last week,” said Mujeeb Murana. “We just have to go into North Carolina with the same mentality we came in today with.”
Match Details
| Box Score | 1st Half | 2nd Half |
| Birmingham | 0 | 3 |
| Loudoun | 0 | 1 |
Goals:
LDN – 48′ Abdellatif Aboukoura (McCabe)
BHM – 67′ Loudoun own goal.
BHM – 74′ Tyler Pasher (Dawson McCartney)
BHM – 96′ Mujeeb Murana (Enzo Martinez)
Lineup:
BHM: Matt Van Oekel, AJ Paterson, Phanuel Kavita, Alex Crognale, Moses Mensah, Kobe Hernández-Foster, Enzo Martínez, Jake Rufe, Diba Nwegbo, Tyler Pasher, Prosper Kasim
LDN: Hugo Fauroux, Kwame Awuah, Jacob Erlandson, Keegan Hughes, Yanis Leerman, Tommy McCabe, Drew Skundrich, Abdellatif Aboukoura, Tommy Williamson, Christiano François, Zach Ryan
Discipline:
22’ Yellow Card – McCabe – Loudoun
45’ Yellow Card – Mensah – Birmingham
60’ Yellow Card – Erlandson – Loudoun
Postgame notes:
- Tyler Pasher scored his first goal of 2024
- Defender Mujeeb Murana scored his first goal for the Legion in the 95th minute.
- Dawson McCartney made his Legion debut and earned an assist.
What’s next?
The Legion goes back on the road for their fourth away game of the season on Sunday, April 14th against North Carolina FC.
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.
