BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Bruno Lapa scored twice in his professional debut as Birmingham Legion FC struck three times in the opening half to defeat rival Memphis 901 FC 3-0 on Wednesday night at BBVA Field. Brian Wright also struck for the hosts as 17-year-old Jaden Servania made his first appearance in the club’s colors.

The game opened evenly, but neither side was able to create a clear-cut chance until the 20th minute when a good move reached Wright just inside the top of the penalty area, but his turning shot was easily saved by Memphis goalkeeper Tim Howard. Two minutes later, though, the hosts hit the front. A bending shot by Servania forced a punched save from Howard, but the rebound was corralled by Jonathan Dean, whose looping touch arrived perfectly for Lapa to drive a finish into the turf that looped over the 901 FC goalkeeper and into the net.

Birmingham then doubled its lead just past the half-hour mark as a Memphis pass near midfield was redirected toward Wright, who quickly turned and moved forward. A pass to his left found Lapa, and Wright surged into the penalty area to meet the return cross with a sliding finish at the top of the six-yard area.

Howard was forced into action again soon after as he tipped a powerful shot by Legion FC’s Prosper Kasim over the crossbar, but with four minutes to go in the half Lapa struck again. The Brazilian midfielder beat the offside line thanks to a straggling defender, moved into the left side of the penalty area and bent home a shot to the far post.

Memphis had a chance late in first-half stoppage time to pull a goal back as Duane Muckette fired just over the crossbar off a corner kick, but 901 FC’s hill became even steeper just before the hour-mark when defender Zach Carroll was sent off as he pulled at Wright to deny a breakaway opportunity on the counterattack.

901 FC had one chance with just under 15 minutes to go as newcomer Cal Jennings showed a nice piece of skill before firing off a low shot that was saved by Legion FC goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, but Birmingham’s lead wasn’t seriously threatened as it saw out a solid victory to open its second campaign.  

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Bruno Lapa, Birmingham Legion FC – The former Wake Forest and NC Fusion U23 midfielder marked his professional debut with a pair of goals and an assist to lead Birmingham to all three points against its regional rival.