skip navigation

Matchday Report: Lapa’s Penalty Kick Lifts Legion FC Past Atlanta

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/30/21, 5:33PM EDT

Share

Stoppage-time goal earns 1-0 victory at Fifth Third Bank Stadium for Birmingham

KENNESAW, Ga. – Bruno Lapa converted from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time as Birmingham Legion FC grabbed all three points with a 1-0 win that broke Atlanta United 2’s four-game undefeated streak on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

The hosts opened brightly and created the first chance in the fourth minute as Connor Stanley was played into the left side of the penalty area by Mikey Ambrose before shooting into the side-netting at the near post. Atlanta threatened again in the 25th minute as a ball into the penalty area was laid off to Tyler Wolff at the top of the box for a shot that deflected just wide of the right post.

Birmingham’s first opportunity came just before the half-hour mark as a cross from the left by Ryan James found JJ Williams for a header that was saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. The visitors also threatened late in the half as Jonathan Dean got into space on the right and cut back a cross toward Anderson Asiedu near the penalty spot, but Atlanta’s Ambrose made a crucial clearing challenge.

Williams had another chance for Legion FC just before the hour-mark but sent his header wide of the left post after a cross by Bruno Lapa, while a few minutes later Neco Brett found the net with a sharp finish only for the offside flag to be raised to keep the game scoreless. Lapa then had a big opportunity to put the visitors ahead from the left side of the penalty area, but Rios Novo tipped his shot onto the outside of the left post and behind for a corner.

Legion FC threatened again with 16 minutes to go as Diago Kobayashi fired a curling effort from 20 yards toward the top-right corner of the net that Rios Novo denied with a good save, but the Argentine goalkeeper was unable to save his side in stoppage time as Bruno Lapa converted from the penalty spot after Jaden Servania was ruled to have been pushed over on a counterattack in the penalty area.

Birmingham’s Junior Flemmings had a chance to add a second on a counterattack as Atlanta threw players forward in search of an equalizer, but after his finish went wide of the right post the final whistle blew as Legion FC took all three points.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Bruno Lapa, Birmingham Legion FC – Lapa kept his cool from the penalty spot to score his second goal in as many games and had three shots on goal overall while completing 44 of 49 passes.

Scoring Summary
BHM
– Bruno Lapa (Penalty Kick) 90+3’

Full Box Score

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos