After Emotional Win, Legion FC Turns Towards Oakland

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – 48 hours following a frantic finish for its third win of the season, Birmingham Legion FC is still coming down from all of the emotions it endured against Sacramento Republic FC. And while the focus of the club now shifts forward to Saturday’s quick turnaround against another California opponent in Oakland Roots SC, Legion FC coach Mark Briggs doesn’t want his players to forget the feeling that the team and home crowd collectively experienced, courtesy of Sebastian Tregarthen’s stoppage time goal.

“To score a last minute goal to win a game, it gets people feeling good,” said Briggs of the memorable night. “You see, hear and feel that spirits are good, which in turn helps with recovery and everything really, so it gets us in a good mindset for the next match.”

Briggs was sure to point out the recovery aspect of things consider this next match will be Birmingham’s third time on the pitch in the span of seven days.

As the USL Championship schedule enters the dog days of summer, things can seem daunting, particularly when constantly playing in the sticky, southern summer heat. Which is why Tregarthen’s goal was not only important in terms of securing a much-needed three points, but also provided a boost in vibes as the squad hopes it can become a catalyst for what it hopes is the beginning of a turnaround after a turbulent past couple of months.

“That goal and win not only gives us momentum going into this weekend,” noted defender Jake Rufe. “It also gives us a belief that what we are doing is working. We still have a lot to improve on, but just the fact that our defense kept a clean sheet and we continued to put pressure on the goal, that’s all we need to win games.”

While the wins may not have been showing up until Wednesday, the changes that Rufe alluded to are showing up on the stat sheet.

Of its three matches in June, Legion FC has controlled possession and had a higher expected goal metric than its opponent in two of them, while outshooting its opponents in that stretch a combined 41-25 (14-10 on target). That success comes despite implementing a formation change in the middle of that.

Going from four to five on the backline has seen one less body in the midfield, forcing an increase in responsibilities for those manning it. Kobe Hernandez-Foster found himself flourishing through that adversity against Sacramento, leading the Three Sparks with 11 final third entries in a match where Briggs touted the midfielder as the best player on the pitch.

“I felt good,” Hernandez-Foster said. “On the ball I created a lot of chances and defensively I won a lot of possessions back in our own half. That’s what I’m here to do and I need to have those type of performances week in and week out to help the team.”

Hernandez-Foster and the rest of the squad now look to build on the most recent result and, hopefully, not wait until the last kick of the match to put things to rest.

There will undoubtedly be scoring chances available on Saturday as it goes up against an Oakland side that is currently at the bottom of the USL-C with 23 goals allowed and a -10 goal differential. Roots SC also finds itself in a state of flux, having opened the month by departing with head coach Gavin Glinton and giving the keys former United States Men’s National Team veteran Benny Feilhaber to pull the club out of the bottom of the table.

That turn hasn’t happened quite yet with Oakland still searching for its first win since May 10. Despite that, Briggs — who is familiar with the side from his time coaching in Sacramento — is aware of the challenges the Roots could present.

“Benny has very good ideas,” said Briggs. “He played at a high level and learned under Peter Vermes with Sporting Kansas City, so he’s got a lot of experience and I’m sure he’ll get his players energized and ready. They have a lot of talent. We have to make sure that we match their energy and grittiness.”

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