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Results through Sun July 21

Image credit: USL Championship Twitter

Birmingham Legion

New Mexico United came into the game having won ten home games in a row, but had never beaten Birmingham Legion. Something had to give. As expected, this was a low-scoring affair, and Birmingham leaned heavily into a deep rotation of players. The score waa 0-0 at the half, and in the second half both teams ran wide open - a track meet. New Mexico got on the board first, and Birmingham ramped up constant pressure to respond. They subbed in every field player that made the trip in an effort to keep fresh legs. The strategy paid off, as Legion got the equalizer from a header by AJ Paterson in the 81st minute. He had just subbed into the game, and that was his first touch. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, interrupting New Mexico's win streak, while also maintaining Legion's unbeaten standing in the head-to-head.

Huntsville City FC

Huntsville was on the road facing Inter Miami II on Sunday. Miami controlled the game, but neither team could manage to score, and it looked like the game might end up at 0-0. In the 76th minute Inter was awarded a penalty kick after a Huntsville foul. The PK was converted, and the home side took the lead. That goal would have been enough, but just seven minutes later Huntsville gifted Miami another PK. Inter converted that one as well, and took all three points with the 2-0 win. It was a sloppy game that saw 22 fouls and 9 yellow cards given between both teams.

GCPL Playoffs

Union 10

Gaffa made the trip to Union 10 for the first GCPL semi-final of the day. Union opened the scoring on a bicycle kick during the first half. They also had a penalty kick near the end of the half that was saved by the Gaffa keeper, closing out the half at 1-0. The second half saw Union score again early on a counter attack. Just as it looked like Union might have control, the game got crazy. Gaffa scored almost immediately after the second Union goal, got an equalizer a few minutes later, and then took the lead with about three minutes remaining. Union found their feet again and scored an equalizer at the death, sending the game to overtime. OT ended still tied up at 3-3, and Gaffa completed the steal by winning the shootout.

Alabama FC South

Sadly, there was no stream for the match, and details are scarce. This was a very hard-fought, close match. The Storm got a goal in just the fourth minute to put the pressure on the home team, and carried that lead to halftime. The second half continued to be a defensive struggle. ALFCS thought they had it put to bed, but a questionable PK was awarded to Southern States in the 91st minute. SSC converted the kick, and sent the game into overtime at 1-1. Neither side could break through in OT, and the game was decided in a shootout. The Storm stayed tough, winning the shootout 5-4. They advance to host the GCPL Championship game Saturday July 27 against Gaffa.

The Adjacency

Columbus United has had an incredible inaugural season. It took a few games to really settle in, but they have been on fire for the playoffs. They've also been dealt a grueling road schedule to navigate. Saturday saw them travel to West Texas, just three days after their previous road playoff game in North Carolina. Columbus played a dominating first half, building a 2-0 lead. The second half started with more of the same and they found themselves up 3-0. But the road travel appeared to catch up with them, and West Texas seemed to remember that they were the favorites at home. West Texas roared back, and at the end of regulation time they tied the game up on a penalty kick. To continue a theme, the game went to overtime. But Columbus dug deep and found a fourth, and deciding, goal during OT to claim the Southern Championship. The win puts them through to the national semi-finals, and they will have a week to catch their breath before the next game on July 27.