Weekend Results
An absolutely crazy game out West; Huntsville stumbles
Birmingham Legion FC
Image credit: Birmingham Legion
Legion hit the road to face Orange County in an after dark match that turned into a crazy, entertaining affair. Birmingham started the season with a much larger roster than they typically have, in an effort to beef up and be ready for injuries, etc. Injury season is in full bloom, in addition to recent departures, and another player was added to the roster on Friday - Jackson Travis, a left back on loan from Colorado Rapids. Accordingly, Birmingham's starting lineup against OC included five players on loan: Suarez, Damus, Daley, Shashoua, and Travis.
The tone for the game was set almost immediately. Just three minutes into the game, Tregarthen put a cross into the box, and Amir Daley fired a header past the keeper for a Birmingham lead. The flow of the game was wide open, and back-and-forth. Orange County would equalize in the 24th minute from a poorly-defended corner kick. Legion reclaimed the lead four minutes later on a goal from Damus inside the box. They hung on and had hopes of going into the half with the lead, but an OC player was brought down in the box and they converted the penalty in the 45th minute. The score at the half was 2-2.
The second half started with more wide open play. Damus was putting pressure on the Orange County defense, and the center back lashed out to kick the ball away, but sent it the wrong direction. The ball looped high, back towards his own goal, and dropped in over the keeper's head. Four minutes later, Orange County would even the score again with a drive into the Legion box. Tregarthen would give Birmingham another lead in the 62nd minute, off of a cross from Daley. You would like to think that four goals would get the job done, but you'd be wrong. Orange County would quickly equalize again, after a Birmingham turnover, and a quick shot from range. The final thirty minutes saw both teams slow things down, and neither could break through again. The final score was a 4-4 draw.
The game continues a disappointing trend for Legion. In their past four league games, they've given up 12 goals.
Huntsville City FC
Image credit: Atlanta United 2
Huntsville was on the road to face Atlanta United 2 for the third time this season, hoping to get back on track after last week's loss to Chattanooga. Atlanta sits near the bottom of the table, and has always been tough for Huntsville. The Boys in Blue played their game, controlling possession and getting six shots on target to just three for Atlanta. But Atlanta got the ones that counted. Cooper Sanchez, a homegrown player, scored the first goal for Atlanta in the 7th minute. It was his first professional goal. Huntsville would have several chances to equalize, but couldn't find the back of the net. Just before the half, Atlanta would get another goal, this time from Toto Majub (also his first professional goal). Atlanta took a 2-0 lead into the half, Both sides would have chances to score during the second half, but to no avail. The final score remained 2-0 for Atlanta. The loss sees Huntsville go the third place, while Atlanta United rises to tenth.
Scoreboard watching
Image credit: Google
Time is starting to run out on Legion's chances to make the playoffs. Draws won't get it done, and other teams are making moves.
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Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 Pittsburgh