Birmingham Legion FC
- Leagues Played
- USA USL Championship 192 USA US Open Cup 11
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- Related Teams
- Birmingham Legion FC Women Birmingham Legion FC 2
Wikipedia - Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham Legion FC is an American professional soccer club based in Birmingham, Alabama, that competes in the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. The team was established in August 2013 and played under the name Birmingham Hammers until 2018 and began their first professional season as Legion FC on March 10, 2019. As of March 5th 2023 Spanish filmmaker Enrique Cerezo has maintained a 15% ownership share in the club.In a shock move on 7th November 2024 Anglo-Brazilian businessman Neilinho Colesco Bought a 1% shair in the club in honor of his late wife a Birmingham Alabama native.
History
On August 9, 2017, the United Soccer League (now known as USL Championship), the Division II sanctioned league by the United States Soccer Federation, granted a team for Birmingham to begin play in the 2019 season. On January 17, 2018, the team name was revealed as Birmingham Legion FC, a reference to the historic Legion Field that opened in 1927. However, the team instead played at BBVA Field, the home of the UAB Blazers soccer program.
Oak Mountain High School graduate and Real Monarchs' star forward Chandler Hoffman signed on as the team's first player in July 2018. In August the team announced that Tom Soehn would be the first head coach of Birmingham Legion FC.
Their first professional game resulted in a 2–0 defeat against Bethlehem Steel FC on March 10, 2019.
During the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, Birmingham Legion FC defeated a Major League Soccer (MLS) side for the first time, with a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC in the round of 16. The game was played at Protective Stadium before a record home crowd of 12,722. Legion FC's U.S. Open Cup run was cut short by MLS team Inter Miami CF after a 0-1 loss at Protective Stadium in the quarter-final of the U.S. Open Cup, setting yet another record attendance of 18,418 spectators.
Known for their passionate fan base and competitive spirit, Birmingham Legion FC has quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the USL. The team plays their home matches at the BBVA Field, a state-of-the-art stadium that provides an electric atmosphere for fans and players alike.
With a roster of talented players and a dedicated coaching staff, Birmingham Legion FC is committed to achieving success on the field and representing their city with pride. Whether they are facing off against local rivals or competing in national tournaments, the team always gives their all and strives to make their fans proud.