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Legion's Femi Hollinger-Janzen (88) fights for the ball during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion's Daigo Kobayashi (16) grasps his head in disappointment after narrowly missing a header during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Daniel Johnson (14) makes acut to avoid a defender during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion's Danial Johnson (14) dribbles down the field during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Nic Gulas, leader of the Magic City Brigade, leads chants during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion's Tyler Turner (96) controls a pass during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion's Marcos Ugarte (2) sticks his tongue out for emphasis as he makes a pass during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion's Kyle Culbertson (33) makes a crossing pass during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion Captain Mikey Lopez (5) thanks fans following the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Mikey Lopez (5) waves a flag following the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Starting players break a huddle with reserves prior to the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Chandler Hoffman (9) positions himseld on the backside of the goal in preparation for a corner kick during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Legion head Coach Tommy Soehn shakes hands with officials following the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Tommy Soehn thanks fans at the conclusion of the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Chandler Hoffman (9) and teammates leave the playing field following a 2-0 loss at the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
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Mayor Randall Woodfin was present for the opening coin toss during the Birmingham Legion FC's inaugural match versus Bethlehem Steel FC at BBVA Compass Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Kamp Fender)
BIRMINGHAM — The threat of severe weather convinced Birmingham Legion FC to move its franchise opener from Saturday to Sunday.
That decision, made only a few days before kickoff, didn’t hurt attendance. A sellout crowd of 5,807 convened at BBVA Compass Field on Sunday afternoon to witness the debut of Birmingham’s professional soccer team.
But Bethlehem Steel FC spoiled the party. It scored a pair of second-half goals to claim a 2-0 victory.
"It's not the performance I'm upset on," Legion FC head coach Tom Soehn said. "I mean, the guys gave me what they had. It's just we didn't put them away."
Steel FC first broke through in the 53rd minute when Kacper Przybylko scored on a rebound. Legion FC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg leaped to block Przybylko's initial header but couldn't secure the ball. Przybylko took control and pushed a shot into an open part of the goal.
"It's just an unfortunate one," Spangenberg said. "I didn't have much I could do except just try to get a hand to it today."
Steel FC struck again 15 minutes later on Zach Zandi's goal from outside the 18-yard box. His shot, fired low and to the back, right post, provided Steel FC with the insurance it needed.
It was outshot 13-10 in the game but capitalized on its opportunities.
"When you keep a team around, they punish you," Soehn said, "and that's what they did today."
Legion FC had a chance to equalize between its opponent's two goals but came up empty.
Prosper Kasim, a forward from Ghana, hesitated upon finding the ball at his feet deep in the box. His uncertainty allowed defenders to converge around him and block a close-range shot.
A few minutes later, midfielder Daniel Johnson slotted a low cross toward goal. He had teammates in the area, but Steel FC cleared the ball away before any damage was done.
"We've got to be more clinical in front of the goal," said Chandler Hoffman, Legion FC's top forward. "That's what we need."
Hoffman had only one clear look, late in the second half. But Steel FC goalkeeper Matt Freese hauled in the line-drive shot.
Freese maintained a clean sheet despite Legion FC's plentiful scoring opportunities, many of which occurred in the first half. The best came when Johnson sent a cross into the box that met the head of Daigo Kobayashi, who directed the ball slightly beyond the right post.
"Today the part that let us down was the finishing, one at which we've been really good at," Soehn said.
Sunday's outcome didn't quiet the Magic City Brigade, Legion FC's supporters' group. Members filed into the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff and created a chorus that didn't waver.
Throughout the contest, the brigade recited chants, beat drums and sounded horns in support of its team.
"Walking out there today before the game, I was just looking around, taking it in," said Hoffman, a Birmingham area native. "It was a special moment. The fans were incredible. I just hate we didn't get the result today."
Legion FC will have a chance to bounce back on Saturday when its host Ottawa Fury FC at 7 p.m.
"This result doesn't show who we are," Spangenberg said. "We're already looking forward to next week to get back out here."
