The Boys in Gold pick up three points in Phoenix

Quick Summary:
Birmingham Legion FC defeated Phoenix Rising in its first match of the season. Legion took the lead through Diba Nwegbo who fired a strike that took a deflection on the way to the back of the net, opening the score for Legion.
Recap:
Phoenix, AZ (March 9, 2024) – Birmingham headed west to Phoenix for its first road game to kick off the 2024 regular season. The boys in Gold were eager to record their first win of the season and were able to bring back home three points. The Three Sparks held onto its one-goal lead until the end of the game.
First half:
Phoenix came into the game firing shots with the first big save of the night happening in the third minute when Panos Armenakas fired a strike, but MVO made a diving save. The backline put on a great performance when Phoenix had another great opportunity to score in the 13th minute when Armenakas lifted a cross into the box from the left side but VanOekel punched the ball in the air. Formella was able to get a touch on the rebound but was blocked by Captain Kavita.
Legion’s first big chance happens in the 32nd minute when Preston makes a right-footed cross to the back post but it goes over Turay’s head. Pasher then takes a shot but it goes nowhere leaving Turay and Nwegbo jumbled up unable to get it to the back of the net.
The Rising had another dangerous opportunity in the 34th minute when Varela crossed a ball to Edguardo Rito. Rito fired a shot but MVO was able to punch it up. The ball bounced around Formella’s feet, but MVO dived on top of it before Formella was able to put the rebound shot away.
“Early we were under a lot of fire, and then once the game settled, we started to create our own opportunities and I think our confidence grew with that and our sharpness grew,” said Head Coach Tom Soehn.
Legion’s second big chance of the night happened in the 45th minute when Hernandez-Foster took a Chick-fil-A corner kick. Hernandez-Foster’s left-footed shot goes over Phoenix’s backline but Crognale’s header is saved.
The Legion had many great chances in the first half but could not convert, but in the second half the team had a lot more looks.
“During the first game, you’re still going through some stretches where you haven’t lived through it yet, and then as you experience it, you understand what the game means,” said Soehn. “We were much better in possession, and then turning those into chances.”
Second half:
The Three Sparks came in the second half with much more confidence and possession. In the 58th minute, Pasher made a great run and crossed the ball to Turay, but he hit the right post with a right-footed shot.
Legion made a breakthrough in the second half after Diba Nwegbo fired a strike that took a deflection on the way to the back of the net, making it an own goal for Phoenix Rising.
“Going on the road and the first game, you always know it’s going to be hard, but I felt like we did a really good job as far as the competing and keeping organized and making it difficult for them,” said Head Coach Tom Soehn about tonight’s performance. “The guys are just really pleased with how it was a solid team effort.”
The Rising had a hard press through the end but could not equalize, despite having many chances in the second half. The Legionnaires held onto its one-goal lead until the end of the game. The veteran goalkeeper, Matt VanOekel put in a man-of-the-match performance against the defending champs with eight big saves, two punches a clean sheet on the road in front of a packed stadium.
“It was a very important match for us as the first one of the season away at the defending champions and we wanted to see progression in our shape and style and we felt that was the case this evening,” said VanOekel. “Everyone put in a ton of hard work that we can be proud of tonight.”
1st Half | 2nd Half | |
Phoenix | 0 | 0 |
Birmingham | 0 | 1 |
Goals:
BHM – 67′ – #7 Diba Nwegbo (own goal off of John Scearce)
Lineup

Phoenix Rising FC – Rocco Rios Novo, Laurence Wyke, Pape Mar Boye, JP Scearce, Edguardo Rito, Gabi Torres (JC Azocar 65), Jose Andres Hernandez (Eddie Munjoma 87), Renzo Zambrano, Fede Varela (Email Cuello 65), Darius Formella (Remi Cabral 70), Panos Armenakas (Erickson Gallardo 70).
Discipline:
BHM – Enzo Martinez (caution) 45
PHX – Dariusz Formella (caution) 53
PHX – Edguardo Rito (caution) 71
BIR – Alex Crognale (caution) 73
BHM – Diba Nwegro (caution) 76
BHM – Kobe Hernandez-Foster (caution) 76
Postgame notes:
- AJ Paterson reaches 100 regular-season appearances
- Matt VanOekel reaches 401 regular season saves
- Turay, Perez, and Murana made their USL Championship debut tonight
What’s next?
The Legion goes back on the road for their second away game of the season on March 23 against Hartford Athletic.
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.