WEEK AHEAD PREVIEW
Week of Sat 6/22 - Fri 6/28 all times Central
Birmingham Legion
Wed June 26 at Detroit City 6:00
Detroit started this season very strong out of the gate, winning their first five league games. They also had a huge upset win in the Open Cup against Houston Dynamo of MLS, where their goalie fired in the winning shot in a shootout. That effort seemed to take some of their energy away, as they lost three and tied one in their next four games.
Huntsville City FC
Sunday June 23 at Cincinnati 2 6:00
Cincy is one of the top clubs in the MLS system, and the reserve team is third in the table in the East. This will be a big test to see how much HV has improved.
Friday June 28 vs Carolina Core 7:00
Huntsville's recent wins (one against Core) mean that HV have hopped up above Core in the table. This is the kind of game that the Boys In Blue should be expected to win.
USL2
Legion 2
The Hammers get a week of rest.
Dothan United Dragons
Saturday June 22 at Asheville City 6:30
I've looked at the math, and the Dragons’ Wed loss to East ATL has knocked them out of the playoff picture for USL2. Hopefully, they won't know that, and they'll come into this game highly motivated. Regardless, a win against Asheville would be a big deal.
GCPL
AFC Mobile at Pensacola Bay United Wed June 26 7:15
This is AFC's best remaining chance to get a win for the season. The next game after this will be against Florida Roots, to end the season. PBU only has one win this season, which was against AFC.
Alabama FC South
Sunday June 23 at Union 10 5:00
This is the second, and final, meeting this season between these two teams. Playoff implications loom large after ALFC's win against AFC on Wed. Whichever team wins this game should be in the driver's seat for the second playoff spot in the East. Technically, the math is there for both of these teams to pass Sowegans, but the Turtles would have to lose their last three matches to open that door.
Union 10
Wed June 26 at Sowegans 7:15
A tough week for Union 10 continues, and they face another top team in Sowegans. Union 10 beat Sowegans in the first game of the season, and needs to double up on the road. If you're ALFCS, it's probably better for Sowegans to win, to help keep Union below you. Of course, that also removes any possibility for the Storm to pass Sowegans.
UPSL
FC Birmingham completed the Spring season in eigth place of thirteen in their divsion. They'll look to improve when the Fall season kicks off.
Other news and tidbits
Birmingham Legion WFC
Saturday June 22 vs Asheville City 7:00
Asheville is the second place team in the division, hoping to make the playoffs. The Three Sparks have the talent to pull an upset here, especially coming off of another win against Greenville.
Wed June 26 vs Tennessee FC 7:00
Legion WFC follow up the game against Asheville against first place Tennessee SC, also at home. TN is an interesting story. They've led the table all season, undefeated, with a current GD of +38. The trick is that they beat Athens United by a combined score of 25-0 in two games. Their other games have been reasonably close, including two draws. In other words, the Three Sparks have a realistic shot at an upset.
Image credit: FC Columbus Elite Facebook
Fountain City fell short last week in their effort to gain automatic promotion. This Saturday at 7:00 they will start the next phase, as the top seed in an eight team playoff for the second promotion spot into the Georgia Premier division. Their opponent is FC Columbus Elite. Total transparency, I hadn't realized that there was a third team in Columbus. This team is also playing in their first season. Crazy to think that three teams all started in the same city this year.
Columbus United face Tallahassee at home on Saturday June 22 6:00. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in their first meering this season. A Columbus win would see them hop over Tallahassee in the table, although neither club appears to be on track for a playoff spot.