WEEKEND RESULTS
Through Sunday Aug 25
Image credit: MLS NextPro Twitter
Birmingham Legion
Frustration. If there's a single word that sums up where Birmingham is right now as a team, it's “frustration”. Legion lost at home to Pittsburgh on Saturday night 0-3. That follows a 0-2 loss at home to Detroit City. Legion had their chances during the game, but they continue to be out of synch through the midfield. The newest player (Zouhir) has started the past two games in midfield, and the chemistry just is not there yet. Frankly, I'm not sure why they're forcing the issue with him there. Midfield play has generally been a strength this season, after the hard work to convert Jake Rufe. Kizza scored two goals for Pittsburgh in the first half, and then EJ Johnson put the third one away as a sub in the second half. The same EJ Johnson that Legion had in preseason camp, and passed over.
Image credit: Footystats
For some reason, Legion has been a better team on the road. Five of the remaining nine games will be on the road, including a huge game against Indy Eleven, who is tied with Legion in the table. Birmingham got some very lucky breaks in results from other Eastern teams this weekend. Indy Eleven lost, Detroit City lost, and Loudon and Rhode Island play to a 0-0 draw. The biggest positive for the weekend was that Matthew Corcoran played the last 20+ minutes of the game, his first action of the season after an injury in preseason.
Huntsville City
Huntsville went on the road and picked up their third win in a row. HC jumped ahead just two minutes into the game, but saw Toronto respond quickly, and at the half Toronto led 2-1. Huntsville came out strong in the second half, and got an equalizer early. They continued dominant play, missing at least two good goal-scoring opportunities, before going ahead late. Huntsville fired off 15 shots on the day, compared to only 6 for Toronto. Huntsville wins 3-2.
Other news and tidbits
Hartford's Mamadou Dieng is on fire. The 20 year-old scored two goals in a 2-1 win over Louisville City (LC had a player sent off in the first half). That makes six goals and an assist in the last eight games for Dieng.