WEEKEND RESULTS

Through Sunday June 30

Birmingham Legion

Louisville City is never an easy opponent, much less on a fsst turn, and short-handed. Legion was missing Jake Rufe and Dawson McCartney, in addition to all of the other long-term injuries. Those two have become crucial for linking play from the defense to the offense. They were also out during the Wed game against Detriot, but Legion's two goals in that game came from corner kicks, not the run of play. The first half saw Legion control play, and get a few chances to score. There was also an ugly collision in the box between a Lou City player and the Bham keeper. The Lou City player was stretchered off with a knee injury. Neither team could get a goal, and the score was 0-0 at halftime. The second half was an entirely different story. Louisville came out and applied relentless forward pressure. Their first goal came early in the second half, and Legion had trouble getting the ball across mid field. The goals kept coming, although Legion found a way to pull one back. Bham lost 1-4. The hot, humid conditions also put a severe dent in attendance, which looked to be 2000-2500. Very disappointing for a big match that followed a big win.

USL2

Dothan United and Legion 2 faced off for the second time this season, after a weather delay of more than two hours. That long delay crushed turnout, and the Dragons saw their smallest home crowd of the season, which looked to be under 1000 fans. It's a shame after the buildup they had all week for this in-state rivalry, served with a side of revenge for the earlier loss to the Hammers in Birmingham. Legion 2 came out swinging and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. But the Dragons never gave up, scoring a goal six minutes into stoppage to earn a draw, 1-1.

GCPL

AFC Mobile played their final game of this season against the Florida Roots, looking for their first win of the season. The Roots got out ahead 3-1, but AFC would not be denied. They came back hard and score three more goals to get that first win of the season 4-3. That result also leaves the door open for Pensacola Bay United to knock the Roots out of fourth place, and out of the playoffs.

Image credit: Alabama FC South Facebook

ALFCS hosted Sowegans for the marquee match of the night. This was the final game of the sesson for the Turtles after clinching the top seed in the East for the playoffs on Wed. ALFCS needed a win to stay ahead of Union 10. The Storm dominated possession and the game from start to finish. They put away an important three points, winning 2-0.

Union 10 needed to get a win to keep pressure on ALFCS. Pensacola Bay United has been a tough opponent all season, although they haven't had many results go their way. This match was tight throughout, but a last minute goal wins it for Union 3-2.

There's still a lot to shake out in the GCPL East. Just two games remain, with Pensacola Bay United set to face ALFCS, and then Union 10. A win by PBU would put them into the playoffs at the expense of Florida Roots, as well as having an effect on the seeding for ALFCS and Union 10. It will all come down to the wire.

Other news and tidbits

Birmingham Legion WFC played Athens United at home Saturday morning, their final game of the season. The game had originally been set as the opening of a double-header, before the Legion game against Louisville City. But the time was moved ahead unannounced to 11 AM. Details are extremely sparse, and we just know that the The Sparks won 3-0.

The Adjacency

Columbus United played their final regular season match at home against Pensacola. The game was tight, as expected. Pensacola took an early lead but Columbus answered on a penalty kick, and the score was 1-1 at the half. In the second half, the Pelicans got ahead and held on. Columbus loses 1-2. But they have qualified for the playoffs, and will host a game next week.

FC Columbus Elite lost their playoff duel with Atlanta Fire South, 3-4. The scoring in the game went back and forth throughout, before ATL finally pulled ahead late. Elite will remain in UPSL1 for the Fall season, along with Fountain City FC.