Week Ahead Preview
Sat Mar 22 through Fri Mar 28
Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham at Detroit City Sat Mar 22 at 3:00
Legion has a tough task ahead of them as they travel to face Detroit City, who has won their first two matches on the road against Miami and Colorado Springs. Bham had to travel to Little Rock for their Wed Open Cup match (which they lost), and then turn right around to head to Detroit. The simple math is that they haven't had much time to practice this week, and will be road weary.
Detroit City has been breaking in a new lineup that doesn't include Maxi Rodriguez, but they have continued to “be Detroit”; they've only given up one goal in their first two games, and while they've scored four goals, that number is a little misleading. Miami saw a player sent off in the first half, and Detroit beat them 2-0. They beat Colorado Springs 2-1, but the first goal came from a Switchbacks mistake, and the second was an own goal. So, dominant defense, lackluster offense, but two away wins to start the season. That's about as “Detroit” as it gets.
The Legion come in with a squad reduced by injuries, although there's a chance that Tyler Pasher might be available for the first time this season, and that Trejo might be available after missing yhe earlier games during the week due to concussion protocols. Without them, Bham should still have the group that managed the 1-1 draw against Louisville City, and they'll be out to prove something after the Open Cup debacle. Expect a very physical chippy match that will be low-scoring. Legion badly needs to take away points.
Huntsville City FC
Huntsville vs Philadelphia Union 2 Fri Mar 28 at 7:00
Huntsville has had a good start to the season despite the loss to a very good Chattanooga team last week. Philly comes to town after two draws to open the season, one of which they won in PK's. They've scored just one goal in regulation play, but have also only allowed one goal. The Union play a style where they maintain the bulk of possession, which is fine with Huntsville, who likes to counterattack. I see this as Huntsville win.
FC Birmingham
FCB will host Soccer Saves Lives FC Sat Mar 22 at 5:00, the second game of a double-header after the reserve team plays. SSL has been performing at the bottom of the table, and this is a game that Birmingham will be expected to win. One challenge for FCB is getting re-acclimated after changing home fields for the fourth season in a row, albeit to one they've used before.
The Adjacency
Fountain City plays at home against Georgia Athletic Soccer Club Sat March 22 at 2:00. Based on results this season so far, this should be a close, competitive game. Fountain needs to get a result here at home. This is probably a match where if Tristan Shytle scores, they win.
FC Columbus Elite will host Kalonji Pro-Profile Sat Mar 22 at 6:00. KPP looks like the team to beat this Spring, laying goals down on everyone. Elite will be looking for progress; hold down the score, and get a goal or two themselves.
Image credit: UPSL
Division 1 of UPSL kicks off in our territory this weekend. Once again, Georgia will be split into South and North (as it was in Spring 2024), after being joined into a single conference last Fall. The two teams I'll follow in Div 1 both play in Georgia South.
FC Birmingham U23 starts off at home against AFC Lightning Sat Mar 22 at 2:30.
FCB2 will bring in AFC Lightning with both teams looking to get off on the right foot. AFC had a better Fall season and I expect them to be tough for FCB2. I tend to always lean towards a main team that's facing a reserve side, so FCB2 is the underdog here.
Columbus Knight Eagles will be on the road against Limeno 3 Sun Mar 23 at 1:00. After a very successful first season, the Eagles will kick things off on the road expecting a big win. Limeno has a strong club with the first team playing in the Premier division, and Limeno 2 playing in Georgia North. After being a city league champion, CKE made a strong transition to UPSL last Fall and finished among the top teams in the table. By all rights the Eagles should be expected to cruise here.