Player ratings, week 5 (Match 2) vs Atlanta United 2

Birmingham Legion fought a highly competitive Atlanta United II side, and came back home with the win. It was almost a case of, “a tale of two halves” for the Legion who looked much better in the second. These two teams were still very closely matched throughout though. The match was evenly split over 90 minutes until Atlanta United II made a costly mistake in stoppage time that saw Bruno Lapa step up to the spot, and seal it for Birmingham. Here’s the ratings for the second win this week.

11: Neco Brett – 6.5 – Brett made plenty of good runs, and was very aggressive in the oppositions penalty box. However, he wasn’t there near enough, especially in the first half. When the team began pushing forward, and Brett had more help around him, he was much more of a threat. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t start sooner before he was subbed off. 

23: J.J. Williams – 7.0 – J.J. Williams looked more comfortable in his midfield role Sunday afternoon. His positioning, awareness, and passing were improved from his last midfield outing. Although, like Brett, he also benefits more with more Legion players behind and around him. 

8: Bruno Lapa – 9.0 – Bruno comes up big in the box again. This time with a penalty. Lapa also continues to show improvement in most aspects of his game. His interplay with Johnathan Dean was on display over and over again against ATL II. With better positioning also comes better passing from Lapa. He’s more and more dangerous each match. 

20: Zachary Herivaux – 7.5 – Herivaux takes up a spot in the back line against ATL II, and impresses. I, personally, still believe his talents are more suited for the midfield. He, as well as the entire team, looked better when they were pressing closer to the end of the match, and Herivaux was pushed up more. However, Legion definitely benefited from his distribution from the back line. Aside from the yellow card, he looked defensively sound too.

6: Anderson Asiedu – 8.0 – All attitude against ATL II, for Asiedu. Anderson has been a bright spot in the Legion midfield this season. Seeming to have something to prove, Anderson came out quite aggressively against ATL II. Asiedu might have been a little fortunate to avoid a yellow in this match, but his overall play was, once again, quality. 

12: Eli Crognale – 7.0 – Crognale held his own against a game Atlanta United II side. In Legions second game in the same week, he helped contain the pacey ATL II side for 70 minutes, and ultimately helped his team to the win. 

7: Ryan James – 7.5 – James is settling into this Legion attack quite well. He keeps finding himself in good spots atop the opponents box, and hasn’t slowed up his defensive work rate at all. 

3: Phanuel Kavita – 7.0 – The Legion captain didn’t really stand out much this match, but that may be more because of Birmingham’s overall play around him. Kavita wasn’t asked do much against ATL II, but did all that was necessary of him to help keep the clean sheet.

22: Ben Ofeimu – 7.5 – This match was Ofeimus best outing yet this season. He was a rock in the box, and showed why Coach Soehn continues to call upon him.  

24: Jonathan Dean – 7.5 – Much like Ryan James on the other side of the pitch, Jonathan Dean’s attacking play was on point against ATL II. He and Lapa connected multiple times throughout the match, causing Atlanta trouble up and down their right side.

1: Matt VanOekel – 7.0 – Legion’s keeper also kept quiet most of the match, but held firm when called into action to add another clean sheet to his resume.

Subs & More:

21: Alex Crognale – 6.5 – Alex gets a quick little run out to celebrate an away win.

77: Junior Flemmings – 7.0 – Flemmings goes straight into the attack for Brett, and nearly notches a goal with the last kick of the match. 

17: Jaden Servania – 7.0 – Servania still looks good in the midfield. His ball control and desire to attack were present during his time on the pitch.

16: Daigo Kobayashi – 7.5 – Such a soothing presence on the ball for Legion. Kobayashi stays fluid in the midfield, and also should have come home with a goal to his name.

Coach Soehn – 7.0 – A change back in formation, but still brings home the win. I much prefer a more aggressive Legion, much like we saw in the final minutes against Atlanta United II. The Legion’s back line looks comfortable enough for Soehn to put more resources into the attack, and put the press on teams. However, Soehns formation decision didn’t prove costly for him, and Legion gets another three points.