Hammering Down

Hammering Down

Football in the Magic City

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  • April 5, 2024

    What is Going Wrong with Birmingham Legion FC?

    What is Going Wrong with Birmingham Legion FC?

    The Birmingham Legion FC has faced demoralizing losses, sparking concerns about the team’s performance. Analyzing xG statistics, it’s evident their defensive struggles stem from the midfield, not solely the defense. The absence of a strong defensive midfielder allows opponents to exploit the midfield, leading to excessive shots on goal. To address this, a strategy adjusting…

  • March 20, 2024

    Where Are They Now? 2019-2023

    Where Are They Now? 2019-2023

    Birmingham Legion FC has had 76 players announced to the 3 Sparks roster in 6 years, but currently has only 22 players on the 2024 roster. Several players have left for other clubs, retired due to injuries, or transitioned to coaching roles.

  • January 31, 2023

    How to Become More Active in the Community

    How to Become More Active in the Community

    Every single club questions how to become involved in the community. Even the best clubs can always improve, so how can Legion FC take it to the next level?

  • February 23, 2025

    My Case for the European Calendar

    That Has NOTHING to Do With Pro/Rel As MLS has open discussed moving to the European calendar, conversation around the schedule change has been extremely divisive. Unfortunately for the United States, there is not a perfect solution. The current schedule has cities like Miami, Phoenix, and Houston whose temperatures in the summer are more comparable…

  • January 29, 2024

    Birmingham Legion FC vs Atlanta United Friendly: What Can We Even Take Away?

    Birmingham Legion FC vs Atlanta United Friendly: What Can We Even Take Away?

    Birmingham Legion FC faced a 2-1 defeat against Atlanta United but showcased promising chemistry among players despite training together for only a week. Despite shortcomings, Sierra Leone international Buya Turay’s off-the-ball creativity stood out. The 3-4-3 formation showed potential, with player performances and missed opportunities providing learning points for the team. The match exhibited potential…

  • January 22, 2024

    Miguel Perez Joins Legion: The Double Pivot is Back

    Miguel Perez Joins Legion: The Double Pivot is Back

    Birmingham Legion FC sign St. Louis CITY standout youngster Miguel Perez. The 18-year-old provides a piece to the puzzle that Legion desperately needed, but how will he fit?

  • December 16, 2023

    Magic on Life Support: The US Open Cup is Dying

    Magic on Life Support: The US Open Cup is Dying

    The US Open Cup is slowly being killed, but MLS has taken the final step in committing murder of the lower divisions. How did we get here?

  • October 12, 2023

    Birmingham Legion FC Expectations vs Reality: 2023

    Overachieving and Underachieving is Just Achieving Birmingham Legion FC have officially confirmed that they will be in the playoffs, a feat that the 3 Sparks have accomplished every single year since the inception of the club. That level of consistency is what has made Birmingham one of the most stable franchises (and jobs) in US…

  • August 23, 2023

    It’s Okay to Have a Type – Kinda

    It’s Okay to Have a Type – Kinda

    It’s been a while! I haven’t written in several months. I had some big projects planned, then some behind-the-scenes “real life” things happened, and here we are. So what brought me back? Birmingham Legion FC have signed yet another player who is considered to be a winger/forward. While Tabort Etaka Preston is a huge talent…

  • June 2, 2023

    The Biggest Day in Birmingham Soccer History

    The Biggest Day in Birmingham Soccer History

    The last Open Cup match was magical. This one is real. Birmingham needs you. Legion need you. Up. The. 3. Sparks.

  • May 16, 2023

    Why Birmingham Needed the US Open Cup More Than Ever

    Why Birmingham Needed the US Open Cup More Than Ever

    It’s time for the biggest match in Legion history, but it’s also the perfect time for it to happen. This is the biggest year for growth for Birmingham, and it’s time to show out.

  • May 6, 2023

    Birmingham Legion WFC Roster Announced: A Brief Breakdown

    Birmingham Legion WFC Roster Announced: A Brief Breakdown

    The Birmingham Legion WFC roster was announced and I took it upon myself to breakdown the entire roster. Who will be in the starting XI? Who know, it’s a 39 woman roster, but I know it’ll be fun.

  • April 27, 2023

    Moments of Magic in the Cup: Legion 1 (4) – 1 (3) Chattanooga FC

    Moments of Magic in the Cup: Legion 1 (4) – 1 (3) Chattanooga FC

    In a match where two teams’ strengths PERFECTLY balanced the other’s weakness, we have one of the most even match ups of the US Open Cup thus far. What separates the two teams? Moments of Magic.

  • April 16, 2023

    Legion Lose 3-0 to Loudoun United

    Legion Lose 3-0 to Loudoun United

    In a match where a team underperformers after overperforming plays a team who is underperforming then overperforms, you get a 3-0 result. It’s just not who you think get the 3.

  • April 6, 2023

    Away Day: Chattanooga Red Wolves

    Away Day: Chattanooga Red Wolves

    The Footy Scenes in the Scenic City I’m writing this Away Day article and it’s an interesting situation. I’m moving! So, I need to move into my new apartment and then drive all the way to East Ridge before the match starts. We’ll see how that works out… If you have seen my other “Away…

  • April 2, 2023

    Birmingham Legion FC Defeat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0

    Birmingham Legion FC Defeat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0

    A Good Night and Great Performance Soured in the 29′ As Legion are flying high while the rest of the Eastern Conference have stumbled out of a the racing blocks, my mood is somber. Is it because of Legion “overperforming”? Is it because it didn’t “look pretty”? Is it because the Rowdies have looked borderline…

  • March 18, 2023

    Legion Beat FC Tulsa 3-2

    Legion Beat FC Tulsa 3-2

    In the best match in Birmingham Legion FC history, it left me excited, stunned, and a little worried. While the firepower in the attack is enough to be in awe, it also left some concern.

  • March 16, 2023

    Understanding the Basics of Tactics

    Understanding the Basics of Tactics

    Tactics are fickle thing that get argued by the informed and the people who think they’re informed. This article is the one stop shop to understanding the basics of formations why they matter, and why they are completely irrelevant.

  • March 9, 2023

    Coaches Come, Coaches Go, and Local Talent Comes Home

    Coaches Come, Coaches Go, and Local Talent Comes Home

    Changes come, changes go. It’s the nature of Football. I speak for most Legion fans when I say we wanted Khano around for the long haul, but it wasn’t in the plans. But when one goes out, two come in, with Janet and Nathan!

  • February 19, 2023

    FULL USL SEASON PREDICTIONS!

    FULL USL SEASON PREDICTIONS!

    In this article, I predict EVERY SINGLE MATCH OF THE USL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON. In this, I try and breakdown which teams have the easiest, hardest, and most likely road to a championship!

  • February 14, 2023

    W League Announces Divisions!

    W League Announces Divisions!

    Legion Join the South Central! I’m pumped for this W League season. Is it obvious? I’m beyond stoked. So, who are the 3 Sparks joining the division with? The Opponents How Competitive Was This Division? Club GP W L D Points Goal Diff South Georgia Tormenta FC 12 7 1 4 25 24 Chattanooga Red…

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