Legion FC Looks to Flip Script Against Rhode Island

PAWTUCKET, RI – Just three days after snapping a five-match skid against the Charleston Battery with a draw at Protective Stadium, Birmingham Legion FC have an opportunity to do something similar as it hits the road for a Saturday showdown at Rhode Island FC. Having dropped its first three meetings against the 2024 newcomers, the Three Sparks will look to buck that trend where three points could vault it back into positive postseason positioning in the USL Championship.

“We’re going to go in and try to get a result,” said Birmingham coach Mark Briggs. “It’s going to be a difficult task but we just have to go in and focus on the areas that we can improve on. They are a good and well-coached team who we haven’t had much success with since they came in.”

This weekend’s matchup at the brand new Centerville Bank Stadium will be the second time Birmingham and Rhode Island square, with the latter earning a 1-0 in Alabama on a Maxi Rodriguez 14th minute goal. That result currently stands as the difference between the two sides in the Eastern Conference table with Rhode Island holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot on 15 points, while Legion FC is two spots back in 10th with 14 points.

Since Rhode Island entered the league ahead of the 2024 season, Birmingham has been in search of that first victory against a side that is coached by former Legion FC assistant Khano Smith and rosters a handful of players that have spent time in the Magic City in the past. It’s that unique history that has led to this becoming a rivalry of sorts despite being separated by over a thousand miles.

“I played with Zach (Heriveaux) when he was here, I’ve also played with (Albert) Dikwa and I room with Jojea (Kwizera) on the (Rwanda) national team,” explained Legion FC defender Phanuel Kavita. “I know a lot of these guys and I’m looking forward to this game because they’ve beaten us every single time and it eats me up.”

On top of the familiarity aspect of things, both sides enter the match looking to ignite something on offense.

Last time out, RIFC dropped four goals in a USL Jagermeister Cup victory over USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine on June 27. However in its last five USL-C matches, Rhode Island has scored just three total goals while getting shutout as many times in that stretch.

The same goes for Legion FC in its previous five USL-C outings, including its most recent time out against Charleston on Wednesday where it had issues completing passes in the final third.

“I think it’s focus,” said Briggs. “It’s the mindset of staying in the moment, and if you stay present, you don’t make those mistakes. (Against Charleston) we would do the hard work to win the ball, and then we’d relax and that’s where the mistakes came.”

While those mistakes have hampered Legion FC thus far in 2025, the squad is also keenly aware that there is some congestion in the standings with 10th place and fourth place currently separated by just nine points. A run of good form, which means a run of goals, could flip the perspective on what can be attained this season and that starts with a strong showing against Rhode Island.

“I believe in this group and even when I talk to other teams, they believe in this group,” Kavita said. “We just have to keep doing the right things. Mark is doing the right things in making sure we stay disciplined. The results will come.”

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