Legion FC gets historic win over Charlotte FC of MLS
Birmingham soccer fans were challenged to seize the opportunity to back the Legion FC Wednesday night as they faced a monumental challenge.
The Legion were playing an MLS team, Charlotte FC, for the first time in franchise history. They were also playing the US Open Cup Round of 16 for the first time.
12,000 fans came out to Protective Stadium and they were not disappointed.
The Legion grabbed a 1-0 victory over a squad that, on paper, was better than them. They outplayed a team that, on paper, had a much bigger payroll.
Charlotte had its opportunities to take control of the match in the first half, but Legion goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg made brilliant saves and the game was scoreless at halftime.
The key sequence came in the 2nd half, in the 51st minute. That's when Tyler Pasher got kicked by Charlotte's Adilson Malanda, who got a red card. Charlotte had to play a man down the rest of the way and the Legion smelled the blood in the water.
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In the 60th minute, Prosper Kasim scored the game's one and only goal. As the final seconds ticked away, the fans roared in approval and the the Legion celebrated with them. The Legion advance to the US Open Cup Round of 8, another first for this franchise.
"I looked at the atmosphere today and it was second to none," Legion Head Coach Tom Soehn said. "We've been here five short years and I feel like the game continues to grow and the city continues to back us and it was hard not to enjoy that. I had so many first-time fans come up and say how much they enjoyed that game."
The players agreed and thought this was a turning point in team history.
"It's nice because it gives us confidence and gives us joy and excitement to be playing in front of that many people," Legion Captain Phanuel Kavita said. "So it's always fun and hopefully we can get more fans to come out because I think that allows us to blow up the city and have more people come out and enjoy it."
