BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Wednesday it would host Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer in a preseason exhibition at Protective Stadium on Saturday, February 1 at 3:30 p.m. CT. The contest will mark the second consecutive year in which the clubs meet in preseason, and the fifth time overall.

"We always look forward to welcoming in Atlanta United for the preseason," said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. "We have a long and successful relationship with them and this upcoming preseason match not only helps continue to grow our sport across the region, but also gives the fans a chance to get a preview of both squads ahead of the regular season."

Tickets for the preseason match pitting the USL Championship and Major League Soccer clubs are on sale now. Fans that have renewed or purchased season tickets for the 2025 campaign will receive a complimentary ticket in their Ticketmaster account.

The Three Sparks enter the new season with its sights set on putting a trying 2024 in the rearview mirror. Birmingham recently solidified its core by re-signing defender Phanuel Kavita, midfielder Enzo Martinez and forward Tyler Pasher to multi-year extensions, while also adding a big scoring threat with the acquisition of Ronaldo Damus on loan.

This past year was a roller coaster one as well for Atlanta United, who finished the season with interim coach Rob Valentino after it parted ways with Gonzalo Pineda last June. However, the club shocked the world by eliminating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF and made a run to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after sneaking into the playoffs as the ninth seed.

The 2018 MLS Cup and 2019 U.S. Open Cup champions are led by former United States Men's National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan and forward Saba Lobzhanidze who scored a team-high 11 goals across all competitions last season. The club recently announced that it hired Chris Henderson as its new Sporting Director. Henderson has a slight connection to Legion FC, having spent a season as Heaps' teammate when the two played for the Miami Fusion in 2001.

Being separated by a short trip across interstate-20, Legion FC and AUFC are no strangers to one another. The two sides first began their preseason series in 2020 and have since faced each other in 2021, 2022 and 2024 with all matches taking place in Birmingham. Of the previous meetings, Legion FC's best result was scoreless draw on March 28, 2021.