ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tabort Etaka Preston had a goal and assist to lead No. 7 seed Birmingham Legion FC to a 3-0 victory against the No. 2 seed Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs.

After a cagey first half, Preston put Legion FC ahead four minutes before the halftime break with a sharp finish from the right side of the penalty area. He then capitalized on a defensive slip to get in behind the Tampa Bay back line 12 minutes into the second half, finding plenty of space to center for Diba Nwegbo to finish from the top of the six-yard area.

Legion FC original Prosper Kasim wrapped up his side’s third victory against the Rowdies this season with 13 minutes to go as Juan Agudelo and Neco Brett combined to set up a first time shot Kasim struck home confidently, sending his side into the next round.

Three Things That Mattered

1. The Rowdies had more possession in the first half, but the speed Birmingham brought when it go on the ball made the visitors look more dangerous and that was rewarded four minutes before the halftime break. Having previously rifled a shot wide of the near post from the right side of the penalty area a few minutes prior, Tabort Etaka Preston made no mistake when he was played in by Juan Agudelo for a second time, burying his finish precisely into the bottom-left corner of the net for a deserved lead.

2. Preston’s first-half finish was a sign of what was to come after the break. The Cameroonian continued to threaten the Rowdies’ back line with his speed – a key attribute as to why Legion FC went out and acquired him from Las Vegas Lights FC in midseason – and it forced a crucial misjudgment from Forrest Lasso that resulted Birmingham’s second goal, tucked home by Diba Nwegbo on the doorstep. Legion FC created four big chances against the Rowdies’ defense while doubling them up in shots. A performance like this sets up the potential for even more down the line.

3. For all their possession over the 90 minutes the Rowdies were uncharacteristically blunt in attack, and it proved the difference in the game. With only six shots overall, with only two finding the target, Tampa Bay once again was unable to solve Birmingham’s defensive structure as it was held scoreless against Legion FC for the third time this season. There should be plenty for the Rowdies to look forward to in the offseason, but this was an unexpectedly meek playoff departure.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Tabort Etaka Preston, Birmingham Legion FC – The Cameroonian was a threat throughout the night, recording a goal and assist while putting three of his five shots overall on target.

Scoring Summary
BHM – Tabort Etaka Preston (Juan Agudelo) 41’
BHM – Diba Nwegbo (Tabort Etaka Preston) 57’
BHM – Prosper Kasim (Neco Brett) 77’

Full Box Score

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