MATTHEWS, N.C. – Birmingham Legion FC moved nine points clear at the top of Group G in the USL Championship with a 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews.

Following the opening minutes of the contest, between 7:00 and 8:46 of the match, players from both sides came together at the center circle, united against racism, and in support of equality, diversity and compassion.

In the game, the Independence had the first good chance in the 21st minute when a cross from the right by Clay Dimick found Rey Ortiz at the back post, but the FC Cincinnati loanee’s strong header was denied by Legion FC goalkeeper Ford Parker.

Instead, it was Birmingham that took the lead five minutes later. A ball forward by Eli Crognale sent Jaden Servania into the right channel, and the young standout cut centrally past a covering defender and sent a curling, left-footed into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

Legion FC doubled its lead in the 33rd minute as Mikey Lopez drove forward on the left and found Prosper Kasim in space on the flank. Kasim sent a deep cross to the far post where Neco Brett struck on the volley to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

The Independence almost pulled a goal back five minutes before halftime as Hugh Roberts’ headed redirection off a delivery by Jake Areman was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Parker. Luke Haakenson also went close for the hosts with a headed finish off another free kick by Areman, but Legion FC held its two-goal lead until the halftime break.

Four minutes into the second half the visitors made it three as Lapa moved forward centrally, then slowed before flicking an arcing pass over the back line to Brett as he stepped in behind for a volleyed-finish into the bottom-right corner of the net. Brett almost added a fourth a minute later as the Jamaican was slipped into the right side of the penalty area, but his shot from a narrow angle was saved by Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller.

Birmingham was reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute when Crognale was sent off for his second yellow card of the game, and the Independence tried to take advantage six minutes later only for Roberts to again be denied by a fine save by Parker on a close-range header from the top-left corner of the six-yard area.

Despite being down a man, though, Legion FC added a fourth with seven minutes to go as Servenia slipped Brian Wright in with a reverse pass on the right, allowing Wright to drive into the penalty area and fire home into the left corner of the net. Charlotte pulled a consolation goal back through Dane Kelly with three minutes to go as the Championship’s all-time leading goalscorer notched his fifth tally of the season off a corner by Valentin Sabella, but that would be all as Legion FC continued its march toward a postseason berth.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC – Brett scored twice on three shots and completed 12 of 16 passes overall to lead a complete attacking performance by the visitors.