WEEK AHEAD PREVIEW
Week of Sat 7/13 - Fri 7/19 all times Central
Image credit: Birmingham Legion
Birmingham Legion
Saturday July 13 vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks 6:30
Legion are hoping to get back some players that have had nagging injuries, and they'll need all hands for the Switchbacks. Colorado Springs opened the season by losing their first five games. Since then, they've only lost once, and have been climbing the table in the Western division. Birmingham has already announced that keeper 1B Trevor Spangenberg will be back for the game, having returned Jayden Hibbert who was on loan from Atlanta United 2. If Moses Mensah and Dawson McCartney can take the field as well, then it will be a big boost. Legion also can't get caught looking ahead to Rhode Island coming to town on Wed.
Wed July 17 vs Rhode Island FC 7:00
This game will nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. Legion are offering ticket deals to boost the crowd for what will be a rivalry atmosphere. You might ask: “how in the world is an expansion team from Rhode Island a rivalry?”. RI head coach Khano Smith left his role as assistant coach at Bham to take the Rhode Island job. Additionally, Coach K played at New England Revolution when Legion coach Soehn was the head coach there. And if that wasn't enough, Rhode Island has four former Legion players on the team. It will be a reunion and rivalry, and RI comes to town in great form. One other thing to note: Legion coach Soehn absolutely hates a draw; Rhode Island has already had a whopping ten draws this season.
Huntsville City FC
No game this week
USL2
Dothan United
Saturday July 13 vs Southern Soccer Academy 7:00
The Dragons are viewing this as a must-win game to have any mathematical possibility of making the playoffs. SSA has had a very similar season to Dothan. Looking back, it makes sense that these teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first game of the season. The media in Dothan have given strong coverage leading up to the game, and I expect Dothan to get the win in front of a good crowd.
GCPL
Alabama FC South
Saturday July 13 vs LA Krewe 6:15
ALFCS will host LA Krewe for the first round of the playoffs. Krewe have had a little bit of a uneven sesson, and were running in second place in the West until Gulf Coast United hopped over them late. They make the six hour drive to face the Storm. ALFCS has not lost at home this season *knock on wood*, so getting the home game was very important. I think the Storm are the better team and in better form.
Union 10
Saturday July 13 at Gulf Coast United 7:15
Union is fortunate to have a short (1 hour) drive over to Gulfport, MS for their playoff game against Gulf Coast United. Both teams have been on similar form, and play similar styles. This should be a very good game, featuring solid defenses.
The Adjacency
Columbus United travels to face Jacksonville Armada U-23 in the NPSL playoffs Saturday July 13 at 6:00. This game will be for the conference championship. This is the first meeting between the two teams, as they didn't face each other during the regular season. Armada have a lot of experience and are building up to thejr entry into MLS NextPro (next year?). If Columbus can pull of the win, it would be a big upset.