Weekend Results

Through Sunday May 25

Birmingham Legion FC

Image credit: Birmingham Legion

It wasn't always pretty, but Birmingham got their first win under Mark Briggs, beating Miami FC 2-1. The first half was fairly uninspired for Legion, and they were early affected by an early injury to Moses Mensah, the left back. Prior to the injury, Miami were already on the front foot, but Legion had decent energy. The injury saw Dawson McCartney enter the game cold, seeing his first action in a couple of weeks after being banged up himself. Additionally, Legion starter newcomer Centeno at right back, which was a surprise move. All told, it was a recipe for Legion to be out of sorts, and Miami scored near the end of the half to go in with a 1-0 lead.

Whatever Briggs said at halftime did the trick, and Legion started the second half looking like a different team. The energy was high and they were very quick to the ball. Just three minutes into the half, Dawson McCartney recieved a pass from Enzo Martinez that he sent into the box on a great cross to Tyler Pasher for the equalizer. Legion substitutions started a few minutes later, and were very effective. The moves saw Pasher slide over to the attacking midfielder position where he's been so effective over the past few games, and in the 74th minute he took a curling shot towards the far post. Miami keeper Bill Miami made a diving save, but spilled the ball and Ronaldo Damus pounced to give Birmingham a 2-1 lead. The Legion would see the game out for the win. Tiago Suarez was impressive again at center back, and Centeno played the full 90 minutes, flipping from right back over to left back during the second half.

USL2

Image credit: Circle City Inferno Facebook

The first Peanuts and Cola Derby is in the books, with Dothan United taking the three points and the derby shield is headed to Dothan in the hands of the Circle City Inferno. The game was close throughout, and just before halftime a Columbus player received a red card for a studs-up challenge. It was hard to tell exactly what happened, but it looked like the referee was set to give a yellow, but the play happened just a few feet from the fourth official and I believe that the red card was issued after conferring. The second half stayed locked up at 0-0 until Dothan turned up the heat with about twenty minutes remaining. The pressure would pay off, and Dothan went ahead from a corner kick play in the 79th minute. Dothan hung on to win 1-0.

Elsewhere in the division, Asheville City kicked off their season and thrashed Apotheos 10-0.

UPSL

UMA FC continued to roll with an important 2-0 win at home over Limeno. Camilo Velez got a brace, his first two goals of the season. The win is UMA'S fourth in a row, and moves them up to fifth place in the table.

Other results

Georgia Athletic 3-2 FC Birmingham

Augusta SC 3-0 FCB2

Albion Atlanta U23 2-1 Columbus Knight Eagles

UMA2 5-0 Limeno 3

Women's matches

Feature match: Legion WFC were on the road against Asheville City, their second away game of a three game stretch. The three sparks came up short, losing 0-2. They'll stay on the road for a short turn to face Tennessee SC on Wed night.