Birmingham Legion FC To Host MLS' Atlanta United

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Coming off its inaugural season in which they were the only expansion team to make the playoffs, the Birmingham Legion FC announced they will begin the 2020 season with a preseason match against MLS powerhouse Atlanta United FC.

The match is slated for Saturday, February 8, at 3:30 p.m. at BBVA Field.

Legion FC standouts Mikey Lopez, Matt VanOekel, Daniel Johnson, Anderson Asiedu and Prosper Kasim will return to lead the team against Atlanta United greats Brad Guzan, Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, Miles Robinson and Pity Martínez, among others. The early February match is set to take place shortly before Atlanta United starts competition in the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.

“This will be the biggest soccer event in Birmingham since the 1996 Olympics and the U.S. Women’s National Team game in 2015,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “Atlanta United has ranked in the top 10 in the world for attendance and have proven to be a top tier MLS Club. We are honored they are coming to the Magic City to play us on our home field.”

In addition to being 2018 MLS Cup Champions, Atlanta United also won the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, were champions of the 2019 Campeones Cup in August, and most recently finished the 2019 MLS regular season as the two-seed in the MLS Eastern Conference.

“Since launching our club ahead of the 2017 season, we’ve prioritized traveling to preseason games in the Southeast,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said. “From Chattanooga to Charleston to Nashville, and now to Birmingham, we’re proud to play a role in the tremendous growth of soccer in our region. Birmingham Legion FC had a successful inaugural season in USL last year, and we’re excited to help launch their 2020 season at BBVA Field.”

Heaps added, “If you love soccer and want to be a part of a unique piece of Birmingham soccer history, you won’t want to miss this game.”

New and renewed Legion FC season ticket holders will receive exclusive access to the match, in addition to pre-game festivities, a post-game meet-and-greet with players, coaches and staff — and priority for purchasing additional tickets closer to the February event.

Birmingham Legion FC’s 2020 season will officially begin in March, and season tickets are available now.