WEEK AHEAD PREVIEW
Saturday Sept 7 through Friday Sept 13
Photo credit: Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Birmingham Legion FC
Wed Sept 11 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:00
This game will be the sixth meeting in the past two seasons between Legion and the Rowdies. Bham won all three contests last year, including a playoff win at Tampa Bay. This year, the two teams met in the Open Cup in a 10-goal spectacle, where Legion was down 0-4 and then rallied for four goals after the 80th minute to force overtime. Rowdies won that match, but just three days later Legion beat Tampa Bay 1-0. Both games were at Tampa Bay. The Rowdies have won just twice in their last six games, including a 2-0 over Miami FC. Legion has lost three in a row, where they've failed to score a single goal. Birmingham needs to get things figured out in the midfield. If they don't, the Rowdies will get an easy win.
Huntsville City FC
Sunday Sept 8 vs Inter Miami II 6:00
Huntsville HC O'Neal came to the Rocket City from the Inter Miami organization. The team has responded well, and elevated their level of play for him. HV will be hoping to use his intimate knowledge of the Miami organization to their advantage. Miami is a middle table team that scores a lot of goals. This will likely turn into a track meet.
FC Birmingham
Sat Sept 7 vs North Georgia United 7:00
FCB is facing a team who beat Fountain City last week 5-3. But, Birmingham is coming in after a tough loss against the top team in the division, 1-2. This could be an early indicator for FCB's chances in the Fall season.
The Adjacency
Fountain City faces UMA FC, Sat Sept 7 at 7:00 at home. This could turn into a solid rivalry game, as UMA is from LaGrange, GA, which is just 45 miles from Columbus. After being undefeated in the Spring regular season, Fountain has now lost three games in a row (two playoff games, and the Fall opener). UMA is coming off of a draw last week. Hopefully Fountain City can get back on track.