Team Announcements

Legion FC Signs All-League Forward Tyler Pasher

The 28-year-old Canadian international spent the past two seasons in Major League Soccer with Houston Dynamo after earning USL Championship All-League Second Team honors in 2020 with Indy Eleven

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Dec. 12, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today the signing of former USL Championship standout and Canadian Men’s National Team forward Tyler Pasher, pending league and federation approval.

Pasher most recently made 36 appearances in Major League Soccer with the Houston Dynamo across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, scoring six goals and adding three assists. The 28-year-old popped up on the Dynamo radar after he parlayed a stellar 2020 campaign in which he scored 10 goals and added two assists in 15 matches with USLC side Indy Eleven into a spot on the All-League Second Team.

“We’re excited to bring Tyler to Birmingham,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He is someone that [Head Coach] Tommy [Soehn] and I have been tracking for a while, as he’s a talented player with pace, creativity, and the ability to finish that will add a lot to our attacking group.”

After coming up through the Toronto FC Academy, and training with Newcastle United youth sides in England, Pasher made his professional debut in 2013 in Finland for the PS Kemi Kings. He has since spent time in MLS with Sporting Kansas City and the New York Red Bulls, and in the USL with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Swope Park Rangers.

“I have been in contact with Coach Tom [Soehn] for quite some time over the years, and his persistence and determination to bring me to the club made my decision a no brainer,” said Pasher. “I am extremely excited to take part in the project the club is building and to join a team of extremely talented players with a lot of experience. I’m looking forward to getting started and to assist the team in any way I can to achieve the goal of bringing trophies to the city of Birmingham.”

The Canadian was a part of the national team set up at the youth level, and then was called up to the senior team ahead of the 2021 Gold Cup, a tournament in which he earned his first two international caps as Canada reached the semifinals.

Transaction: Legion FC signed forward Tyler Pasher to a multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.

Player Profile:
Name: Tyler Pasher
Position: Forward
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Birthdate: April 27, 1994 (age: 28)
Hometown: Elmira, Ontario, Canada
Citizenship: Canadian
Instagram: @typash
Twitter: @typash

Legion FC Season Tickets are available now! Fans looking to purchase or find more information can do so at bhmlegion.com/2023tickets or are encouraged to email tickets@bhmlegion.com or call the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.

For team updates throughout the offseason, follow @bhmlegion on social media, sign up for Legion FC’s Newsletter, or visit bhmlegion.com. The Legion FC app is also available for download via Apple or Android.

Legion FC Announces Year-End Roster Updates

Returning core includes Asiedu, Crognale, Dean, Kasim, Kavita, Lopez, Martinez, Santos, VanOekel

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Dec. 8, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC today announced the return of key players ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season.

In addition to the new contracts signed in recent weeks by Alex Crognale, Phanuel Kavita, Mikey Lopez, and Trevor Spangenberg, Legion FC exercised options on Mataeo Bunbury, Grayson Dupont, Prosper Kasim, Jake Rufe, Marlon Santos, and Matt VanOekel.

The list of players returning on existing contracts includes Anderson Asiedu, Matthew Corcoran, Jonny Dean, and Enzo Martinez.

“Roster decisions are always difficult to make, said Legion FC President and GM Jay Heaps. “But, we are looking forward to the return of a strong group of core players and to adding players that will make us stronger in 2023.”

Options were declined by the Club on Sadik Balarabe, Edi Horvat, and Ryan James. Zach Herivuax had a player option to return but chose to decline it. Juan Agudelo and Bruno Lapa are out of contract, and negotiations are ongoing for a potential return to Birmingham for Agudelo.

Returnees include 2022 USL Championship All-League First Team selection and Golden Boot Winner in Martinez, 2022 USLC All-League Second Teamer in Dean, 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year Finalist, All-League Second Team selection, and Legion FC Defensive Player of the Year in VanOekel, 2021 Defender of the Year in Kavita and 2020 USLC All-League Second Teamer and team Defender of the Year in Crognale.

2023 Legion FC Season Tickets are available now! Fans looking to purchase or find more information can do so at bhmlegion.com/2023tickets or are encouraged to email tickets@bhmlegion.com or call the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.

For team updates throughout the offseason, like upcoming new player signings, follow @bhmlegion on social media, sign up for Legion FC’s Newsletter, or visit bhmlegion.com. The Legion FC app is also available for download via Apple or Android.

Trevor Spangenberg Signs New Multi-Year Deal with Legion FC

One of Legion FC’s first-ever signings in 2019 returns for his fifth season in the Magic City

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Dec. 7, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today that goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.

“Trevor is another member of our core that we are excited to bring back to Birmingham,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He’s a consummate professional that will continue to compete for time at goalkeeper and be an influential member of our locker room.”

Spangenberg will return for a fifth season in the Magic City. The shot stopper has 18 appearances for the Black & Gold, including coming in for the penalty kick shootout in our 2022 USL Championship playoff game and making two huge penalty saves to keep his team in it.

In addition to his efforts with the first team, Spangenberg spent time in 2022 coaching in the youth ranks with Birmingham United Soccer Association via the club’s partnership with Legion FC.

“Couldn’t be more excited [to re-sign]. I love playing for this team and for Birmingham,” said Spangenberg. “It’s a trickle down effect of high standards from the very top of this club on down and every year the goals we set for ourselves continue to get bigger. I want to be here and on a team with the highest expectations, surrounded by quality people both on and off the field. I wish preseason started today, the fire for 2023 is real.”

Spangenberg Playoff Game Penalty Kick Saves

Transaction: Legion FC signed goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to a new multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.

Player Profile:
Name: Trevor Matthew Spangenberg
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: 18
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthdate: April 21, 1991 (age: 31)
Hometown: Valparaiso, IN
Citizenship: United States
Previous Club: Richmond Kickers (USL Championship)
Instagram: @_tspangenberg_
Twitter: @T_Spangenberg

Legion FC Signs Captain Phanuel Kavita to New Multi-Year Deal

The 2021 Team MVP led Birmingham in blocks and was third in minutes played in 2022

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Dec. 5, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today that center back Phanuel Kavita has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.

“We’re excited to have Phanuel back as he is a key part of our core,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He is an excellent defender, and his leadership on and off the field are vital to our success as a team.”

In his second season in Birmingham, Kavita started, and wore the captain’s arm band, in every USL Championship game in the regular season and playoffs. He also led the team in blocks (35), finished second in clearances (99) and fifth in interceptions (33).

“Excited to be back with a great group of guys and staff,” said Kavita. “Birmingham is a place I’ve really enjoyed being, with great fans, and has so much potential for continued growth. I’m very excited to be back!”

Kavita joins center back partner Alex Crognale and midfielder Mikey Lopez as Legion players signing new contracts to return next season.

Transaction: Legion FC signed defender Phanuel Kavita to a new multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.

Player Profile:
Name: Phanuel Kavita
Position: Defender
Number: 3
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 185
Birthdate: March 9, 1993 (age 29)
Birthplace: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Citizenship: DR Congo
Previous Club: Saint Louis FC (USL Championship)
Instagram: @phanuel3
Twitter: @phanuel313
Facebook: @PhanuelKavita

Mikey Lopez Signs New Multi-Year Deal with Legion FC

The 2019 Legion Defensive Player of the Year became just the second player in Birmingham history to eclipse the 100-game mark for the Club this past season

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Dec. 1, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today that midfielder/defender Mikey Lopez has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.

“Mikey is another key member of our core that we are excited to bring back to Birmingham as we look to 2023,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He’s been here since day one, and his ability to play multiple positions at a high level and his leadership in the locker room bring great value to the Club.”

2022 served as Lopez’s fourth in the Magic City, after he became Legion FC’s second-ever signing ahead of its inaugural season in 2019. He finished this season with 32 appearances, was second in interceptions (49), tied for third in tackles (60), fourth in blocks (14) and clearances (38), and was tenth on the team in shots (13) and chances created (16) while adding two assists.

The Mission, TX native earned Team of the Week nods twice in 2022, once in Week 8 for a complete performance (one assist, two chances created, three tackles, four clearances, six duels won, and eight recoveries) in a win over Charleston and again for his defensive efforts in a 1-0 win over San Diego in Week 23, bringing his total to five TOTWs while wearing the Black & Gold.

“I’m really excited to sign with Birmingham again,” said Lopez. “I think we showed that we have a strong team this past season, and we have some unfinished business. I’m excited to help this team reach another level.”

Transaction: Legion FC signed midfielder Mikey Lopez to a new multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.

Player Profile:
Name: Miguel “Mikey” A. Lopez, Jr.
Position: Midfielder
Number: 5
Height: 5’ 8.5”
Weight: 161 lbs.
Birthdate: February 20, 1993 (age: 29)
Birthplace: Mission, Texas
Citizenship: United States
Previous Club: San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Instagram: @MLopez12_5
Twitter: @MLopez12_5

Alex Crognale Signs New Multi-Year Deal with Legion FC

The 2020 USL Championship All-League Second Team defender led Birmingham in clearances and interceptions in 2022

BIRMINGHAM, AL (Nov. 8, 2022) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today that center back Alex Crognale has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.

“As we begin to focus on the 2023 season, we’re excited to extend Alex’s time here in Birmingham,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “He has proven to be a great center back in this league, he’s a leader in our locker room, and we think he’s a big part of our team.”

2022 served as Crognale’s third in the Magic City, and the big man again excelled in Black and Gold. He finished the season with 33 starts, going the full 90 in all 33, and led the team in clearances (136), aerial duels (124), aerial duels won (80), and interceptions (53). He also finished the year with the second most passes (1,527 at an 80.1% pass completion rate), third in blocks (18), sixth in tackles (39), and with one goal scored.

The Columbus, OH native earned Team of the Week nods twice in 2022, once for his defensive efforts in a 1-0 win at Phoenix in Week 13, and again after a 1-1 draw at Tampa Bay in Week 29.

“We are building something really special here in Birmingham,” said Crognale. “I came here to win games and fight for trophies and that job isn’t finished yet. I look forward to the next few years with this club and continuing to connect and make a difference in the community.”

Transaction: Legion FC signed defender Alex Crognale to a new multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval.

Player Profile:
Name: Alex Crognale (CROW-nya-lay)
Position: Center back
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 205 lbs.
Birthdate: August 27, 1994 (age: 28)
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Citizenship: United States, Italy
Previous Club: Columbus Crew SC (MLS)
Instagram: @alexcrognale
Twitter: @alexcrognale

Legion FC Releases New 2020 USL Championship Schedule

BIRMINGHAM, AL (July 7, 2020) – Birmingham Legion FC announced its 2020 USL Championship schedule today. The club will play 16 regular season matches from July 15 to October 3 to complete the newly formatted USL Championship regular season.

Eight contests will take place in downtown Birmingham at BBVA Field, with the first coming in just eight days against rival club Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday, July 15 at 7PM. Single game tickets are available now, and the match will also air live on ESPN2.

Legion FC was placed in Group G for the remainder of the season and will compete with the Charlotte Independence, Memphis, and North Carolina FC for two available playoff spots. Birmingham will play each team in its group four times, twice each at home and on the road.

Outside of the group, the club will play each team in Group H once to round out the full schedule. Group H includes Atlanta United 2, the Charleston Battery, USL Championship newcomers Miami FC, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Every match will count towards the 2020 points total and determine the standings in Group G.

“The group we’ve drawn will be difficult,” said Legion FC Head Coach and Technical Director Tommy Soehn. “We’ll have to maintain our focus throughout, but the guys are really excited to get back to playing and to be back in front of our fans.”

As announced last week, BBVA Field will be open to fans, at limited capacity. Check out all Health and Safety Protocols in place at the stadium here.

Schedule highlights:

Four rivalry match ups with Memphis 901 FC, with two at BBA Field, July 15th and August 22nd
The first rematch with North Carolina FC since last season’s playoff victory takes place in Cary, NC on August 1. NCFC returns to BHM September 2nd and September 26th.
Legion FC faces expansion side Miami FC for the first time ever, on the road, on September 16
The Rowdies are near the top of the USL Championship’s Power Rankings, and the club comes to town for a showdown July 25th.
Of Legion FC’s eight home matches, five are Saturday contests, and three are on Wednesdays.

Four rivalry match ups with Memphis 901 FC, with two at BBA Field, July 15th and August 22nd
The first rematch with North Carolina FC since last season’s playoff victory takes place in Cary, NC on August 1. NCFC returns to BHM September 2nd and September 26th.
Legion FC faces expansion side Miami FC for the first time ever, on the road, on September 16
The Rowdies are near the top of the USL Championship’s Power Rankings, and the club comes to town for a showdown July 25th.
Of Legion FC’s eight home matches, five are Saturday contests, and three are on Wednesdays.

Legion FC to Open Season July 15 at Home vs. Memphis 901 FC on ESPN2

BIRMINGHAM, AL (July 2, 2020) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today that the club will kick off the 2020 USL Championship season at home on Wednesday, July 15 at 7pm vs. regional rival Memphis 901 FC, and the match will air on ESPN2.

BBVA Field capacity will be limited, and all Health and Safety Protocols being put in place are listed below, in accordance with federal, state and local safety guidelines, in addition to specific protocols put in place by the USL and Birmingham Legion FC. All Legion FC season ticket holders will be able to attend each home game, and will have a specifically assigned, socially distanced seat location.

A limited amount of single game tickets for this match are available for purchase HERE. Get yours today!

The full USL Championship schedule will be released by the league, and on our site, in the coming days. Anyone with questions regarding tickets or the club’s Return to Play plan can email tickets@https://www.bhmlegion.com or info@https://www.bhmlegion.com.

– Stadium capacity will be limited but able to accommodate all Legion FC season ticket holders.
–  Legion FC has developed a socially distant seating plan for the 2020 season that provides for a minimum of six feet of distance between groups of fans attending matches together (i.e. families), including areas previously designated as General Admission.
–  Sanitizer stations will be positioned throughout the stadium to provide CDC-approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
–  Prior to, and during the match, restrooms and other high traffic areas and fan contact areas like concessions counters and grandstand railings will be regularly sprayed and wiped with CDC-approved alcohol-based sanitizer.
–  Fans will be required to wear face masks upon entering the stadium, and Legion FC branded face masks are available HERE. Fans will be instructed to wear masks at all times when not seated in their assigned seat.
–  All staff will be required to wear masks, adhere to social distancing, and must pass a temperature check and health screening before entering the stadium on matchday.
–  BBVA Field will be a “cashless” environment for the 2020 season.

Keep an eye on https://www.bhmlegion.com and @bhmlegion on social media for updates and Hammer Down!

A limited amount of single game tickets for this match are available for purchase HERE. Get yours today!

Keep an eye on https://www.bhmlegion.com and @bhmlegion on social media for updates and Hammer Down!

Legion FC placed in Group G for 2020 USL Championship season

BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 26, 2020) – With the USL Championship’s Return to Play right around the corner, the league announced today that Birmingham Legion FC has been placed in Group G. The four-team group also includes the Charlotte Independence, North Carolina FC, and local rival Memphis 901 FC.

Legion FC will play each team in the group four times, and the four remaining matches in the 16-match season will be against other Eastern Conference opponents, which are to be determined. The full schedule with match dates, times, and locations is set to be released in the coming weeks.

For more information on the season restart, BBVA Field health and safety protocols, and ticketing, keep an eye on https://www.bhmlegion.com and our social media pages, @bhmlegion.

“It feels great [to be back],” said midfielder Anderson Asiedu. “We were close to playing our first game, so we already felt the energy of everybody since the day we got here. We realize it’s a good core group, and we want to make this happen. We’re very excited about the guys that were added to the group – everybody came in with a lot of fire…we know what we are, and we know what we want to do here.”

Birmingham fared well against its Group G opponents last year, as the club finished with a combined four wins, two draws, and one loss against CLT, MEM, and NC in 2019. Legion FC won its last four matches against the trio, by a combined score line of 6-2, including the victory over North Carolina in the first round of the playoffs.

This campaign brings new stakes and fresh faces into existing rivalries with everything on the line, as half of the group will earn a spot in the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs. Also, the first matches of the season, before league play was suspended, will count towards the regular season, and each team in the group besides Legion FC has already played once, leaving BHM with a game in hand.

Charlotte kicked off its 2020 campaign with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City II, courtesy of an 85th minute goal from forward Dane Kelly. Kelly and forward Enzo Martinez look to be the strength of this Independence side this season. With 78 career goals in 191 USL Championship appearances, Kelly is the league’s all-time leading scorer, and Martinez, a Charlotte staple, is top-30 in league history in goals himself, and top-15 in career assists. Corralling that pair will be key when facing the Independence.

Memphis came in to 2020 with a few major additions to the side, including USMNT legend and 901 FC minority owner and sporting director, Tim Howard, who came out of retirement to play this season. Matchday one got off to promising start, as Memphis went up 2-0 in 16 minutes against Indy Eleven, but the squad eventually fell 4-2. The team will look to lean on a newly signed midfield trio of Michael Reed (Nashville SC), Jose Baxter (Plymouth United) and Jean-Christophe Koffi (New York Red Bulls II) to drive the team this year.

North Carolina, the only other team in the group to make the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs, lost its first match of 2020 against Louisville City FC, 1-0. NCFC returns a large part of the spine of their team and will play through 2019’s leading goalscorer Robbie Kristo, new signing Hadji Barry, and last season’s assist leaders Ben Speas, Steven Miller, and Nazmi Albadawi when on the attack.

G also clearly stands for “Goalkeeper” in this Group, as Legion FC’s rock, Matt VanOekel, is not only joined by Howard, but two of the top five ‘keepers in terms of total saves made last season in all of the USL Championship, Charlotte’s Brandon Miller (2nd) and North Carolina’s Alex Tambakis (5th). Goals will have to be earned in Group G.

“Everybody that’s here this year and remaining from last year, we know the goals, we know what we want to achieve,” continued Asiedu. “That has been the mentality since the day that we got here, so we want to continue working hard every day, like we were before the break…so that we can have a better season. I would say it’s a fair chance for everybody, if you work hard and you do well, you make your time, and make something happen. We want to be that type of team; we want to go out there and make noise from where we left last year. So, we’re very excited to be back – we feel great to be back.”

Let the countdown begin, and Hammer Down!