Week 12 Preview: all you need to know

This week isn’t as crazy for the Legion as last week was…

The most important part

The Legion goes from one conference leader at home to the other conference leader away. It’s been a tough stretch of games.

The three Sparks play at Sacramento Republic tomorrow evening (9:00pm, ESPN+). SacRep got the weekend off last week, but that didn’t help them too much as they played a 120-minute Open Cup marathon against the San Jose Earthquakes Tuesday, ultimately winning 4-3. They will next play the Seattle Sounders at home July 9th or 10th. SacRep made it all the way too the final two years ago, losing 0-3 to Orlando City.

That being said, they have an undefeated record to protect, not to mention a slim 1-point lead in the West. Yes, they will be tired, but that doesn’t;t mean they won’t be focussed. They will, however, have to play without playmaker Russell Cicerone. who underwent ankle surgery this week.

Not that they are without weapons. Their biggest threat by far is Trevor Amann, who joined them this year from Northern Colorado Hailstorm of League One. He has 6 goals in ten games. The assist leader is Jack Gurr, the feisty English fullback who should be somewhat familiar to Legion fans from his time at Atlanta United 2. At the back is Danny Vitiello, who has 4 clean sheets in 8 games. He didn’t play the most recent league game (a surprising 2-2 draw with Rhode Island); he was spelled by Jared Mazzola, who may play tomorrow night.

For the Legion, the biggest change will be this week’s addition of Derek Dodson. I would expect him to play, and the Legion back line should be a lot less leaky than it has proven to be this season to date.

Prediction: The smart money is probably anticipating a home win. That being said, the Republic only have two wins in the past five games and have been held to draws by Tulsa, Phoenix and Rhode Island. A point for the Three Sparks from this contest would be excellent, and I think that it what they will get.

The other most important part

Legion 2 have two games coming between now and next Friday as they start a 3-game home stand. First up is in-state opponent and fellow League 2 newbies Dothan United, who come to Protective Stadium Tuesday at 7:00pm. Then on Friday next week Legion 2 plays Southern Soccer Academy (from Marietta, GA), also at Protective (8:00pm). Dothan and SSA tied 0-0 in the first game of the season. Dothan went on to beat East Atlanta 3-2 (whom Legion 2 tied 1-1). SSA then got waxed 0-5 by Asheville City. Both of SSA’s games were home games too.

The other other most important part

Legion WFC get a break after their exhausting start. They play next Friday (4:00pm) at Spain Park High School, also against SSA. The ladies of Marietta aren’t doing any better than the gents. They have 1 goal and 1 point from three games and have given up 7. Again, all their games have been at home so far. That’s the only game on WFC’s schedule for the rest of this month.

Best of the rest

Games start tonight in the Championship, but none of them are that appealing. The Legion game is the final one of the weekend, so here are our choices for appetizers:

Indy Eleven v. Phoenix Rising (6:00pm, CBS Sports Golazo)

This one features two teams that are rapidly improving. Both played in the Open Cup this week (Indy beat Detroit City, Phoenix lost to Seattle) and may be a tad weary. Most importantly, Indy dropping points gives the Legion a potential leg up.

Memphis 901 v. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (7:30pm, ESPN+)

Not that we want to promote an Area Code FC game, but this one matches #7 in each conference. Moreover, the Riverhounds are just a point behind the Legion. Which is to say, we really want them to lose (I am not going to say I want Memphis to win).

New Mexico United v. San Antonio (9:00pm, ESPN+)

New Mexico have quietly climbed to second in the West and are the team chasing Sacramento close. San Antonio has been a bit erratic this season, sitting in 6th. The game kicks off at the same time as the Legion game, so will be a good replay watch. Republic fans will however be keeping a very close eye on it.

Back in the Old Country

The season is of course over in England and Birmingham City’s preparations for life in League One aren’t off to a great start. Manager Tony Mowbray, who was sidelined after just a few games earlier this year, officially stepped down as he continues to focus on health issues. BirminghamLive has seven names getting the oddsmakers working. One of those is not Frank Lampard, who had been touted as a possible replacement but appears to have disappeared from the radar. Also at issue is the team roster as several key players have contracts expiring in a month or so.