And just like that Duru has been sent off for a late challenge in on Siaha.
I do think that the challenge is bordering on a yellow and I'm not upset at a card brandished.
However, getting carded before ever coming on to the pitch because he was waiting to come on is insanity
What in the world could have Duru done to warrant a yellow?
I've only been able to watch a bit of the match, but I'm so impressed with what I'm seeing from Birmingham.
While Hartford is undoubtably sitting deep to try and break as directly as they can, Birmingham is breaking down this backline and getting actual chances.
Early Rotation for the 3 Sparks (4-2-3-1)
Koleilat
Brown Kavita Hamouda McCartney
Antwi Cole (Holding Mids)
Shashoua (10)
Pasher Diarbian
Williams
Today’s Legion vs Hartford match being an 11am Education Match is fantastic.
Where else will the Youth learn about the importance of a pressing forward and the dangers of Union Busting all in one place?
Where are they going to play all these fullbacks?
🔥TOP 5 PLAYS OF THE WEEK🔥
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Final: 0-1 Tampa Bay
THOUGHTS:
- Romario Williams coming off really flipping things in favor of TBR
- It was a good first performance under Heaps
- Not sure how much I like Shashoua in the pivot
- The more I watch Antwi, the more I absolutely love his game
- Get it right for Wed.
I’m not sure how much it changes the match, but you can’t help but feel that Damus changes the tactical chess match.
Despite not being a threat to score, this match really flipped Rowdies way after Williams was taken off.
Tampa Bay vs Birmingham is finally becoming the rivalry Dan and Matt always wanted it to be
The downside to if Waite is taken out of this match is that arguably the better GK in Austin Pack is on the bench.
Kadeem Cole is on for Duru. I’m assuming that sends Tregarthen to RB, Pasher to RW.
57’ Goal Tampa Bay
A long throw leads to chaos in the box, and Micaletto rights his earlier wrong to give the Rowdies a 1-0 lead.
There are questions marks on if he was off, but on or off, he was unmarked 1v1 in the box.
1-0 Rowdies
I love Dawson McCartney as a player
But a Left Back wearing the 11 just shouldn’t allowed. It’s just as bad as Ryan James wearing the 7 at LB. It just shouldn’t be allowed.
You would think somebody of Marco Micaletto’s caliber finishes what is essentially an open net.
If the Rowdies don’t take all 3 points, that will be one that haunts him pretty heavily.
Once this Tampa Bay team starts to click, I don’t think there will be a more attractive team to watch in the USL.
Granted, SAFC’s goal earlier today may be a wonderful counterpoint to that.
Half Time: 0-0
THOUGHTS:
- 13 shots between the two team, it’s been a fun half
- the attacking left side for Legion has been exciting
- the defending left side has been a bit concerning
- both teams have missed some massive chances to take the lead
- this has been fun so far
Great save by Waite to deny Pasher who fires a dangerous shot in outside the box.
If we’re talking speed for speed’s sake, Tregarthen, Pasher, Diarbian, and Damus will be diabolical.
Williams doesn’t quite have that bit about him anymore, but he’s still stretching the backline more than I thought he would.
Fascinated to see if Koleilat’s batting of crosses down is because of the rain or if that’s just what he does.
That didn’t really show up on film for him, but still.
The heat map early on is telling much of this story:
Diarbian, Pasher, and McCartney are really getting at Tampa in the attack...
But Tampa is attacking the space they're leaving behind.
12’ in and this is such a better brand of football by Legion. After seeing it in pre-season, I couldn’t speak highly enough of this team.
I’m hoping the fans are enjoying the new look squad.
EARLY chance for Legion. Pasher to Diarbian, which is saved by Waite.
Tregarthen is going to want his finish back, though. Even though it’s a difficult finish, you would love to see him put it on target.
One final delay as Birmingham Legion and Tampa Bay players stand still for a minute to bring attention to the ongoing USLPA CBA negotiations, and then we are underway.
In the sickest way possible, I would love to watch Hartford and Chattanooga Red Wolves play.
Soak in pressure and beyond direct in their attack. Non-stop counters is the closest thing we'd see the German football stateside.
4-1-2-3 looks to be the starting formation.
5 debutants in the Starting XI for the New Look Legion, including Romario Williams who is in over an entirely omitted Ronaldo Damus.
I’m very interested to see how this team looks without the Haitian up top.
It’s not about asking Google, it’s about asking somebody who knows. Not everybody in those SGs are online. They can ask, “What’s going on?” And they have an answer.
I understand people saying, “What did the 1 minute silence even do? Way to bend to the man.”
But if you’re reading this, you’re also terminally online and likely know A LOT about the negotiations.
The 1 minute silence forces casuals (and that’s okay!) to ask questions.
What a freaking match, dude
Lexington👀👀
