Birmingham Legion FC and former United States international Juan Agudelo will head to face Miami FC on Wednesday night aiming to add to their lead in the Eastern Conference standings. | Photo courtesy Birmingham Legion FC
The current Eastern Conference leaders in the USL Championship will head to South Florida for a midweek clash to open Week 9 of the regular season, with Birmingham Legion FC aiming to continue its recent success against Miami FC after consecutive wins in its last two outings.
Here’s a look ahead at all the action.
Venue: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MIA 47%, BHM 25%, Draw 28%
The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC will try to add to its lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings as it visits a Miami FC side that is undefeated in its last three league outings and sitting sixth in the table. Miami (1-2-5, 8pts) played to a scoreless draw at Oakland Roots SC in its last outing on Saturday night as Florian Valot rattled the crossbar for the visitors only for the side to be held scoreless for the third time in its past four league games. Miami broke out in its last home game in the league, however, posting a 4-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC that stands as its lone win of the league campaign so far, and defensively the side has been solid, conceding only seven goals in eight games, tied for the third-fewest in the league. Legion FC (5-2-1, 16pts) moved into first place in the East on Sunday evening as Enzo Martinez powered a 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic at Protective Stadium that saw the hosts trail twice before claiming a dramatic winner in stoppage time. Martinez notched two goals and one assist in the game, setting up Alex Crognale for the game-winner off a corner kick, while Prosper Kasim had a pair of assists. Legion FC is undefeated in the past four meetings between the sides, winning twice, while the sides played to a 1-1 draw when they met in Miami last season. With the chance to add to its lead, Birmingham will be hoping to continue that run against a Miami side in need of a win to solidify its place in the standings.
Spotlight Players
Miami FC – Bolu Akinyode: The veteran midfielder has continued to be a solid presence in Miami’s midfield and will need to be on top of his game to try and help contain a versatile and free-flowing Legion FC attack.
Birmingham Legion FC – Prosper Kasim: The Ghanaian has notched three assists this season, and after bagging his first goal of the campaign in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last week will be keen to grab his first league goal of the season here.