The week ahead
Legion returns to Jagermeister Cup action; Huntsville looks to continue momentum
Birmingham Legion FC
Image credit: USL
Legion returns to the pitch on Wednesday, August 20 in a knockout game for the Jagermeister Cup. They'll be on the road to face Rhode Island that evening at 6:00. The Cup is probably Legion's best chance to save face on a difficult season, and a win here takes them to the final four of the tourney. Getting straight to the point, Birmingham hasn't beaten Rhode Island in their four meetings, although their most recent match in early July was a 1-1 draw. In Birmingham's favor, Rhode Island's new stadium is beautiful, but it hasn't given them any advantages as far as wins. Emotions will be sky-high, with three former Legion players on the Rhode Island squad (say it ain't so, Matthew Corcoran!), Stephen Turnbull playing for Birmingham, and Khano Smith running the show up there. It's do or die time. Expect the referee to be called into action early and often, and I will be surprised if it doesn't go to a shootout.
Huntsville City FC
Image credit: New York City FC; Seymour Reid
First things first. For last week's preview, I missed a game for Huntsville. HCFC played last night on the road against Inter Miami 2 and played to a 2-2 draw before Huntsville picked up an extra point in the shootout. That makes the Boys in Blue undefeated over their past five matches.
Next up for Huntsville, they'll host NYCFC 2 Sunday, August 17 at 6:00. New Yorker sits in the middle of the table and have pretty even results across wins, losses, and draws. Accordingly, they score at a decent clip, and they also concede goals at a decent clip. This will be the only meeting between the two teams this season, unless there's a playoff encounter. Huntsville will need to lock down New York's 17 year-old phenom, Seymour Reid, who has scored 11 goals this season. Expect this game to be close, with plenty of goals to go around. Weather could be a factor in that there may be some showers that come through and cut the heat.
Scoreboard watching
Birmingham has the weekend off as part of their much-needed mental health break. There will be plenty of other action that will impact Legion's chances to make the playoffs. First, a review of last week's impact games.
Rhode Island 0-0 Loudon United
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-1 Orange County
Detroit City 1-0 Indy Eleven
Miami FC 0-0 El Paso (Miami also picked up a red card)
North Carolina 2-1 Tampa Bay
Lousville City 4-1 Charleston Battery
Birmingham didn't take care of thier own business, getting crushed by Harford 1-4. But most of the other results were reasonably good for Legion, and they're still just two points below the playoff line. The bad news is that everyone has a chance at points while Birmingham will be idle. Here's what matters the most:
North Carolina vs Detroit City. Best result is a Detroit loss.
Loudon vs Indy Eleven. Best result is an Indy loss.
Pittsburgh vs Charleston. Best result is a draw.
Harford vs FC Tulsa. Hartford's form looks like the best team in the league, facing the leader from the West. Best result is a Hartford loss, but I'll be watching this game. It should be terrific.
Miami vs Lousville. Best result is a Miami loss.
Tampa Bay vs Phoenix Rising. Best result is a Tampa loss.
The result doesn't matter, but the late game out west will see Danny Trejo make his debut for Oakland against Sacramento. Best of luck Danny!