Birmingham Legion FC: History, Team, and Stadium

The Magic City's First Professional Soccer Franchise

Founded in 2018, Birmingham Legion FC is Birmingham's first and only locally owned and operated professional soccer franchise. The team plays its home games at Protective Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2021.

A USL Championship Contender

Birmingham Legion FC competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States. The team has consistently been a contender for the playoffs, reaching the semifinals in 2021 and 2022.

Local Ownership and Support

Unlike many professional sports teams, Birmingham Legion FC is locally owned and operated. The team's ownership group is led by local businessman, John Markiewicz. The team has a strong following in Birmingham, with an average attendance of over 5,000 fans per game.

Key Players and Notable Moments

Some of the most notable players in Birmingham Legion FC's history include:

• JJ Williams: The team's all-time leading scorer with 32 goals.
• Anderson Asiedu: A dynamic midfielder who has been named to the USL Championship All-League First Team twice.
• Alex Crognale: A goalkeeper who has been named to the USL Championship All-League Second Team twice.

Some of the team's most memorable moments include:

• Defeating Indy Eleven 3-1 in the 2022 USL Championship playoffs
• Hosting the 2021 USL Championship semifinals
• Winning the 2019 USL Cup Eastern Conference Championship

The Future of Birmingham Legion FC

Birmingham Legion FC is poised for continued success in the future. The team has a strong ownership group, a loyal fan base, and a talented roster. The team is also committed to developing youth soccer in Birmingham and the surrounding area.