Legion FC Set for Desert Duel Against Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Riding high on the emotions of a thrilling cup victory in front of its home crowd a week ago, Birmingham Legion FC must now carry that momentum while also refocus upon its return to USL Championship play on Saturday at Phoenix Rising FC.

“They have quality that can hurt you if you’re not prepared,” Legion FC coach Mark Briggs said of the upcoming opponent. “But we have quite a few talents as well. So it’s about understanding what they have but also knowing that we have some pieces that can make a difference.”

Following a 2-1 victory over Forward Madison FC to advance to the knockouts of the 2025 USL Jagermeister Cup, Briggs noted that the first half was the best he has seen Legion FC look since he took over the squad at the beginning of May. However, the head coach also made sure to point out that is still just 45 minutes and that he is still working with the squad to turn in that first truly complete performance.

“If soccer games were 45 minutes, we might be at the top of the league,” Briggs deadpanned. “We played well and look, it’s a cup game, it’s all about winning. I still want to see a more disciplined performance and the mindset be correct.”

In search of that full 90 minute outing, Briggs has been busy on the scouting side of things with numerous roster changes in recent weeks.

Those moves paid off in spades last Saturday with super-sub Sebastian Saucedo providing the go-ahead goal, while Samuel Shashoua assisted the opener as both forwards rewarded their new club in just their second matches in the Magic City. While fairly normal across all of professional sports, it is an interesting process of having new faces pop up throughout the course of the season and are charged with building new chemistry dynamics on the fly.

“It’s really easy when you have good players around you,” Shashoua explained of the fitting-in process. “This is a group that has a lot of talent all over the field. The more that we all get minutes together, the connection is only going to get more and more strong.”

Having joined Birmingham on loan from Minnesota United FC just a couple of weeks ago, Shashoua is no longer the newest man in the squad. That title now goes to defender Maliek Howell who was acquired last week from Las Vegas Lights FC and is still waiting to make his Legion FC debut after being an unused substitute last weekend.

“I’m ready to get rolling,” said Howell. “To be seen and accepted by the staff and players has been remarkable. It’s now in my hands to come in and add my qualities that I’ve displayed in the past and to gain that belief and embrace it as much as possible.”

Howell’s Western Conference pedigree could come into play this weekend as he gets set to face Phoenix for a second time this season, having played the full 90 against the squad on May 28 when he was with Las Vegas.

Now a member of Legion FC, he and the rest of the squad hit the road knowing that they need a result as it teeters on the playoff line in the East with two months left in the season. Three points will see Birmingham, currently sitting in 9th place on 8th, potentially vault up to as high as sixth. Meanwhile, Rising FC returns home also needing something positive after it a 4-1 trouncing to Orange County SC sees it just three points clear of ninth place in the West.

The home side displays an interesting profile as one of the better attacking clubs in the league, thanks in large part to the play of midfielder Hope Avayevu, who not only leads Rising FC in goals (4) and assists (6), but also in interceptions (15) and tackles won (17). But despite ranking third in the league with 27 total goals scored with the highest conversion rate, Phoenix still has a goal differential of -3. Its 30 goals allowed is the worst in USL Championship.

Having won in its only two previous meetings at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, Legion FC knows that it will be in for a tough one as it tries to keep the streak alive.

“This week has been about preparing the guys for what Phoenix can do,” Briggs said. “It’s about identifying what they do well, finding areas we can exploit and then putting it all together to go in and execute our gameplan.”

Follow Along 
For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow the Legion FC Match Center and @bhmlegion on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.