Donuts.
Every week.
With sprinkles for goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.
Birmingham Legion FC is suddenly the hottest team in the USL Championship, and they celebrated each of their last five shutouts with a Tuesday donut feast.
You read that correctly. Five shutouts. In a row.
That’s Saban-esque in this state.
Last Saturday, Three Sparks went on the road and shut out previous No.1 Tampa Bay and stunned the Rowdies with a 1-0 victory. Legion FC has four wins and a draw to start the second half of the USL Championship season.
If Three Sparks and the Donut Defense keep this up, Van Oekel is going to have trouble getting off the ground to make all those split-second, reactionary saves.
Birmingham is back at home at 7 p.m. on Saturday (Star Wars night for the supporters’ group, Magic City Brigade), and the chances for another donut feast are high. Opponent Memphis 901 FC is tied for last in the USL Championship Eastern Conference in goals scored ( 21).
The beer starts flowing in the pavilion behind BBVA Field at 5 p.m. Get there early and celebrate the shutouts and the end of summer.
How hot is Birmingham’s pro soccer team these days?
The top two clubs in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship standings are New York Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay, and neither of those teams have registered five shutouts in a row.
Legion FC hasn’t allowed a goal since the beginning of the second half of the season. The players for this new expansion franchise are growing closer as a team every week and it has been fun to watch.
Also fun to see: team captain Mikey Lopez hanging out with th Legion FC’s supporters’ group last week at a watch party. Lopez didn’t travel to Tampa Bay because he was suspended for a red card. Instead of sitting at home, Lopez went to District Brewing Company with the fans and was there when Legion FC scored their biggest victory of the season.
So, if you’re keeping track of just how amazing this recent run of form as been for the new team in town:
--Five shutouts in a row.
--Hottest team in the USL Championship.
--Back above the 10-team playoff line.
--Captain parties with fans when he gets a red card.
--Coach cracks beers with the supporters’ group before games.
These guys really know how to find a way into my heart.
Maybe Legion FC coach Tommy Soehn will make an appearance on Saturday at the Magic City Brigade’s tailgate. It starts at 2 p.m. in the parking lot behind the stadium.
If he shows up, pass along a suggestion for me.
Defense has put Legion FC back above the playoff line, but this team is going to need some more offensive production to stay there. The team tied for last with Memphis 901 FC in goals scored is, of course, Birmingham Legion FC.
Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He’s on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.