From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Legion launched its inaugural season on Sunday in front of a sell-out crowd at BBVA Compass Field.
The Legion ended up falling to Bethlehem Steel 2-0.
The Legion came into the match full of energy and excitement, feeding off of the announced 5,807 in attendance, but the first half ended 0-0. The home side only finished the first half with one more shot than the visitors, five-to-four, and won four corners to Bethlehem’s zero, but could not find an opening goal.
The best chance in the first half was an opener header in the box by Daigo Kobayashi that went just wide of the far post after a quality cross from Daniel Johnson down the left side.
The Legion continued to control the tempo of the match in the second half, with Daniel Johnson and Prosper Kasim steadily getting into dangerous areas on the ball at the top of the box, but despite outshooting BST eight-to-five in the second half, the ball never found the back of the net.
Steel scored first in the 53’ minute. Legion FC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg’s point blank save on the first attempt was put in by Bethlehem forward Kacper Przybylko. After a few dangerous chances by Legon FC, Zach Zandi added a second for the away team, curling in a low shot from the top of the box into the bottom right corner.
The Legion drove forward in attack until the final whistle, mostly getting the ball wide and serving it in, as they attempted 22 open play crosses to BST’s 6.
The team now turns its attention to a home game on Saturday, March 16, as they look to turn things around against the Ottawa Fury.
