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Team and League History

May 8, 2017
United Soccer League president Jake Edwards discusses a number of expansion cities that could be slated to join the USL for the 2018, 2019, or 2020 seasons. Edwards named Birmingham as one of the cities the league is looking to expand to, with expected announcements coming from Las Vegas and Fresno this summer.

Currently, the USL has 30 teams spread across the United States and Canada.

August 8, 2017
After weeks of rumors and speculation, the United Soccer League held a press conference in Birmingham to officially announce that a franchise has been awarded to the city.

“The USL continues to lead the growth of professional soccer across the country and we are thrilled to announce Birmingham as our newest market,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis.

“Birmingham is an ideal market for USL, clicking off all of the criteria we require in a new expansion market,” continued Papadakis. “We welcome the club’s owners to the USL family, and are excited for the plans they have in store for the Magic City. Soccer fans in Birmingham will experience all the excitement of a first-class professional club, with the full support of the USL league office. Congratulations to the entire team in Birmingham. We look forward to their USL debut in 2019.”

The local team will begin play in 2018, but in the Premier Development League before moving over to the USL.

	Owners Jeff Logan, Lee Styslinger, and James Outland are joined by Birmingham mayor William Bell and USL president Jake Edwards

Birmingham club owners consist of Jeff Logan, James Outland, and Lee Styslinger, III – all local businessmen and sports enthusiasts who collectively agreed that a professional soccer team was needed to continue and expand the city’s growth trend.

Logan has been a co-owner of the successful Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team since 2006, a team that has attracted over two million in attendance since its home field was established at its current Regions Field location. The Barons’ relocation to downtown is widely regarded as one of the main catalysts for Birmingham’s resurgence and has seen over $1 billion of investment in the city center since their move.

Outland began his professional career in the sports marketing industry working for ProServ, Inc., the second largest sports marketing firm in the world representing professional athletes such as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe, and Stan Smith. Currently, Outland’s New Capital Partners manages just under $500 million and has invested in and built over 30 companies, creating more than 2,500 jobs.

In addition to serving as chairman and CEO of Altec, Inc, Styslinger serves on the boards of the United States Olympic Ski Team, as well as the International Tennis Hall of Fame. As a member of Augusta National Golf Club, he chairs the Par Three Contest and the Admissions and Credentials Committee for the Masters Tournament. He is also a member of the Business Roundtable and Council on Foreign Relations and is currently serving on the President's Manufacturing Council advising the White House on Workforce Policy, Infrastructure, and Deregulation.

“The USL’s selection of Birmingham speaks directly to our recognition as a world-class sports city,” said mayor Bell. “We are very appreciative of the investment by Mr. Logan, Mr. Outland, and Mr. Styslinger in bringing professional soccer to the city, and we look forward to working with them and the USL leadership to ensure that we field a team that will bring us many championships.”

Morgan Copes – a lifelong soccer player, enthusiast, and co-founder of the amateur Birmingham Hammers – was recently hired as vice president of USL Birmingham. Copes will serve as the team’s main point of contact. Copes explained that when the Hammers were originally approached by the partners, they were unsure what to expect. They quickly realized they not only wanted to bring the highest level of soccer to Birmingham possible but also wanted the Hammers’ locally-grown passion for the sport to be a pivotal driver in taking Magic City play to new heights. “The momentum for a professional soccer team in Birmingham all started with a couple of good buddies and a few beers. To now have a USL team here is amazing — I still have to tell people to ‘pinch me’ because it doesn’t feel real. In addition to the Hammers, Birmingham soccer fans’ enthusiastic support was just as, if not more, important, and they are now being rewarded for those efforts.”

Until the club’s official name, crest and other branding elements are developed, the Birmingham team will operate as “USL Birmingham.” According to Copes, USL Birmingham staffing is a key next step, with additions targeted for end of year or early 2018.

Details on the team’s home venue will be made at a future date. Birmingham city planning leaders, alongside key USL and USL Birmingham representatives, are working together on the most effective field solution, with a downtown location for the stadium the preferred option. “We want to be in or near the center of the city and have walkable amenities nearby. That is our goal, and we are working on it,” said Copes. “Having a first-rate match day experience for our supporters is a high priority for us.”

August 13, 2017
USL president Jake Edwards is excited for the city to become part of the league. “Birmingham, for us, is a tremendous addition. From a regional point of view, there are some great natural rivalries, and Birmingham has long been a hotbed for the fans of the sport. It’s all about timing, and as that grassroots momentum has built over the last few years with the local fans of the sport like Morgan Copes and his partners that helped build the Magic City Brigade, that helped build the Birmingham Hammers, that helped build that grassroots soccer culture in the region, it’s tremendously important work, and they’ve done a great job over the last few years to do that. Again, it’s about timing, it’s about getting all the pieces in place, and with the ownership group with Lee Styslinger III, Jeff Logan and James Outland coming behind it with a strong plan, and the support of the mayor and the city there to build a great stadium for this team, the timing was now. It’s a market we’ve kept our eye on for a long time, but I think they won’t know what has hit them when this soccer juggernaut comes to town. They’re going to be a great addition to the USL."

January 17, 2018
It was announced that the team would be named the Birmingham Legion Football Club. The name pays homage to legendary Legion Field, Birmingham's industrial steel past, and the Birmingham Hammers.

Legion FC vice president Morgan Copes said, "We wanted to pay tribute to our past. You think about Birmingham's sporting history, and you think about Legion Field. There is a lot of history in that building, and that's a lot of great history for our city. Birmingham has centered around Legion Field for so long, we thought this was a great tip of the hat to the stadium. We're elated with the way it all came out, and we can't wait to get everyone's reaction." The team will not play at Legion Field, however.

Team colors will be Molten Gold and Attack Black.

Copes helped form the Birmingham Hammers, and they will play their final season this summer in the Premier Development League before becoming the Birmingham Legion in the USL.

February 9, 2018
In a press release, the Birmingham Legion Football Club announce they have aligned with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and will be playing in UAB's BBVA Compass Field.

“We are thankful for the University of Alabama System and their partnership in this decision and hope the result of it will only enhance Birmingham’s soccer community moving forward,” said Jay Heaps, Legion FC president and general manager. “We have maintained throughout the selection process that we want to be in the city center and this site works perfectly for our objectives.”

UAB president Ray L. Watts agreed, “UAB is proud to partner with Legion FC and the USL in support of this important addition to Birmingham’s growing sports and entertainment landscape. We look forward to welcoming Blazer and Legion soccer fans to BBVA Compass Field where they will enjoy the facility expansion and enhancements now approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.”

Legion FC ownership is confident that the new stadium at UAB will provide its fans with onsite perks and amenities necessary for a positive game day experience. The pitch is already beautiful and in a great location. It only seemed natural to see if there was a way to partner to make it an even better facility. “The field is centrally located with ample parking and easy access to interstates,” said Styslinger. “Additionally, there are multiple establishments nearby to enjoy both before and after games – from restaurants to craft breweries and more. We are excited about this partnership with such a phenomenal community partner.”

“The upgrades to BBVA Compass Field will make it one of the largest and finest on-campus soccer venues in the country,” said UAB director of athletics, Mark Ingram.

According to Heaps, the venue – with a capacity of about 6,000 – is optimal as the pro team kicks off in Birmingham and is sure to help create an electric atmosphere to attract current and new fans. “A soccer-specific facility with a grass surface was high on our priority list, and this stadium is exactly that. UAB has plans to build a beautiful stadium with impressive city views, and we look forward to helping continue to develop a standard that will help professional soccer thrive here in the Magic City.”

	Head coach Tom Soehn

Legion FC plan to play 17 regular season home matches and potentially host more in Open Cup competition.

May 8, 2018
The Legion announce the hiring of Tom Soehn as the club’s head coach.

Soehn, 52, most recently served as a scout for the Columbus Crew, after spending four years as an assistant coach and interim head coach with the New England Revolution.

Soehn’s most successful years as a coach came in his time with D.C. United from 2004-2009. He won an MLS Cup and Supporter’s Shield as an assistant coach before claiming a second Shield and a U.S. Open Cup championship as head coach.

As an MLS player, Soehn won his first U.S. Open Cup with the Dallas Burn and then two more Open Cups and an MLS Cup in three years playing for Chicago. Prior to his MLS days, Soehn played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, the Canadian Soccer League, the American Professional Soccer League, the National Professional Soccer League, and the Continental Indoor Soccer League.

"I am delighted and grateful for the opportunity to be the head coach of Birmingham Legion FC. The passion and vision for the club and the city during the interviewing process made Birmingham the obvious choice. I am looking forward to meeting and growing our fan base as we begin our inaugural season," Soehn said.

September 28, 2018
The United Soccer League unveils a major structuring, one central brand consisting of three leagues. The new structure and branding will go into effect in advance of the 2019 season.

“The USL has spent the past eight years transforming our league to meet the evolving needs of our team owners, players, coaches, fans and partners. We have established our place in the U.S. soccer landscape while blazing the trail for professional soccer’s future by introducing a new third division, completing the nation’s professional soccer structure. We are bringing three leagues under one central brand that will uniquely represent the USL’s vision for the future and give rise to local passion in new cities currently without professional soccer," said USL CEO Alec Papadakis.

The USL’s new corporate logo symbolizes the growth of professional soccer in North America, incorporating 13 stripes to represent the U.S. flag. The blue letters pay homage to the league’s past while the white sphere represents a soccer ball in motion – propelling the sport forward into the future.

USL Championship is the pinnacle of professional soccer in the USL. The new logo features a new gold design and represents the ultimate goal for players and coaches.

The newly formed USL League One gears up for its debut in 2019. League One will deliver professional soccer to communities without a team, offering the first chance for new fans to fall more in love with the game every single week. League One also provides the opportunity, and the first step, in the professional ranks for players and coaches.

The PDL will become USL League Two, the elite pre-professional tier in North American soccer and the established developmental platform for U-23 and collegiate players. Sporting a bold, red logo, League Two will continue to forge the game’s future, delivering the first taste of premier competition for those that desire to advance into the professional ranks. The PDL provided more than 70% of the players selected in the MLS SuperDraft over the past eight years.

March 2019

			2019                             United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Atlanta United 2		Austin Bold		Bethlehem Steel		Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery
	Charlotte Independence		Colorado Springs Switchbacks		El Paso Locomotive		Fresno FC		Hartford Athletic
	Indy Eleven		LA Galaxy II		Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United		Louisville City FC
	Memphis 901		Nashville SC		New Mexico United		New York Red Bulls II		North Carolina FC
	Oklahoma City Energy		Orange County SC		Ottawa Fury		Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds
	Portland Timbers 2		Real Monarchs		Reno 1868		Rio Grande Valley Toros		Sacramento Republic
	Saint Louis FC		San Antonio FC		Swope Park Rangers		Tacoma Defiance		Tampa Bay Rowdies
	Tulsa Roughnecks

2019 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference	Eastern Conference
Austin Bold	Atlanta United 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Bethlehem Steel
El Paso Locomotive	Birmingham Legion
Fresno FC	Charleston Battery
LA Galaxy II	Charlotte Independence
Las Vegas Lights	Hartford Athletic
New Mexico United	Indy Eleven
Oklahoma City Energy	Loudoun United
Orange County SC	Louisville City FC
Phoenix Rising	Memphis 901
Portland Timbers 2	Nashville SC
Real Monarchs	New York Red Bulls II
Reno 1868	North Carolina FC
Rio Grande Valley Toros	Ottawa Fury
Sacramento Republic	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
San Antonio FC	Saint Louis FC
Tacoma Defiance	Swope Park Rangers
Tulsa Roughnecks	Tampa Bay Rowdies

May 15, 2019
The Legion’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup match will be played today against West Chester United SC. West Chester reached the second round of Open Cup play, advancing via shootout. West Chester was founded in 1976 and currently competes in the National Premier Soccer League.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S. Soccer's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 105 consecutive years dating from 1914.

In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. In addition to cornering the silver market in the late 1970's and early 1980's, Hunt was very active in professional sports. He was the principal founder of the American Football League in 1960 which eventually merged with the National Football League in 1970. Hunt was also a primary founder of Major League Soccer (1996), as well as MLS's predecessor, the North American Soccer League (1968), and World Championship Tennis (1968). He was also founder and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL/NFL), the Kansas City Wizards (MLS), and at the time of his death in 2006, owned two other MLS teams, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas.

March 12, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic, the United Soccer League Championship announces they have delayed the 2020 season.

The league's statement said:

The United Soccer League announced today the decision to suspend the 2020 season for a minimum of 30 days. USL Championship intends for all teams to complete the regular season, and Birmingham Legion FC is currently working to reschedule both home games in March for a later date. “It was very clear from our owners that the health and safety of players, fans and staff was their top priority,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “In consultation with local, state and national health authorities, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security, we have temporarily suspended match play for a minimum of 30 days.” When appropriate, the league will provide additional updates on the continuation of the 2020 Championship season and very much appreciate the continued support of USL Championship fans across the country.

July 15, 2020
The Birmingham Legion begin a shortened 2020 season.

		2020                               United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Atlanta United 2		Austin Bold		Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery		Charlotte Independence
	Colorado Springs Switchbacks		El Paso Locomotive		FC Tulsa		Hartford Athletic		Indy Eleven
	LA Galaxy II		Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United		Louisville City FC		Memphis 901
	Miami FC		New Mexico United		New York Red Bulls II		North Carolina FC		Oklahoma City Energy
	Orange County SC		Philadelphia Union II		Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds		Portland Timbers 2
	Real Monarchs		Reno 1868		Rio Grande Valley Toros		Sacramento Republic		Saint Louis FC
	San Antonio FC		San Diego Loyal		Sporting Kansas City II		Tacoma Defiance		Tampa Bay Rowdies

2020 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference	Eastern Conference
Austin Bold	Atlanta United 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Birmingham Legion
El Paso Locomotive	Charleston Battery
FC Tulsa	Charlotte Independence
LA Galaxy II	Hartford Athletic
Las Vegas Lights	Indy Eleven
New Mexico United	Loudoun United
Oklahoma City Energy	Louisville City FC
Orange County SC	Memphis 901
Phoenix Rising	Miami FC
Portland Timbers 2	New York Red Bulls II
Real Monarchs	North Carolina FC
Reno 1868	Philadelphia Union II
Rio Grande Valley Toros	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Sacramento Republic	Saint Louis FC
San Antonio FC	Sporting Kansas City II
San Diego Loyal	Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tacoma Defiance

October 31, 2020
The league announces that the championship match scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

Multiple members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies have tested positive for COVID-19.

No champion will be crowned, but the league recognizes Tampa Bay as winners of the Eastern Conference and Phoenix Rising as winners of the Western Conference.

March 2021

		2021                               United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Atlanta United 2		Austin Bold		Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery		Charlotte Independence
	Colorado Springs Switchbacks		El Paso Locomotive		FC Tulsa		Hartford Athletic		Indy Eleven
	LA Galaxy II		Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United		Louisville City FC		Memphis 901
	Miami FC		New Mexico United		New York Red Bulls II		Oakland Roots		Oklahoma City Energy
	Orange County SC		Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds		Real Monarchs		Rio Grande Valley Toros
	Sacramento Republic		San Antonio FC		San Diego Loyal		Sporting Kansas City II		Tacoma Defiance
	Tampa Bay Rowdies

2021 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference		Eastern Conference
Pacific Division	Mountain Division	Central Division	Atlantic Division
LA Galaxy II	Austin Bold	Atlanta United 2	Charleston Battery
Las Vegas Lights	Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Birmingham Legion	Charlotte Independence
Oakland Roots	El Paso Locomotive	FC Tulsa	Hartford Athletic
Orange County SC	New Mexico United	Indy Eleven	Loudoun United
Phoenix Rising	Real Monarchs	Louisville City FC	Miami FC
Sacramento Republic	Rio Grande Valley Toros	Memphis 901	New York Red Bulls II
San Diego Loyal	San Antonio FC	Oklahoma City Energy	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Tacoma Defiance		Sporting Kansas City II	Tampa Bay Rowdies

May 1, 2021
President and general manager Jay Heaps issues a statement regarding the field condition during the Legion's first home game:

We are extremely disappointed with the condition of the field tonight. We were assured by the UAB Athletic Department and UAB Grounds Crew that the field would be ready for the first game of the season after transitioning the surface from rye grass to bermuda grass. Unfortunately, the field was not ready and nearly unplayable. Without making excuses about the field's impact on the result, as a professional soccer team and partner in this community, our players, opponents, sponsors, and fans deserver better from the UAB Athletics Department as we, and BBVA, have invested in their stadium and campus. We are disappointed and feel let down as this situation put both teams at risk.

May 15, 2021
Due to the current state of the playing surface at BBVA Compass Field, the team plays a match at historic Legion Field.

In addition to their defeating Memphis 901 by a score of 1-0, the Legion also set a team attendance record of 10,177. The crowd also set the record for a professional soccer match in the state of Alabama.

November 28, 2021
The United Soccer League announces it will be considering a fall-to-spring playing season at their upcoming league meetings next month.

A fall-to-spring calendar, as is widely adopted in many European countries, could be adopted in the coming years. This will further align the league with the global game and further differentiate itself from Major League Soccer.

USL president Jake Edwards made the announcement during the ESPN broadcast of the 2021 USL Championship championship match.

December 7, 2021
The Birmingham Legion announce they will be playing in Protective Stadium starting next season.

"Legion FC is excited for this defining moment in our club’s trajectory. Protective Stadium is a milestone addition for the city of Birmingham and is a great example of the amazing growth and potential of our city and our club,” said Jay Heaps, Legion FC President and General Manager.

March 2022

		2022                               United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Atlanta United 2		Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery		Colorado Springs Switchbacks		Detroit City FC
	El Paso Locomotive		FC Tulsa		Hartford Athletic		Indy Eleven		LA Galaxy II
	Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United		Louisville City FC		Memphis 901		Miami FC
	Monterey Bay Union		New Mexico United		New York Red Bulls II		Oakland Roots		Orange County SC
	Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds		Rio Grande Valley Toros		Sacramento Republic		San Antonio FC
	San Diego Loyal		Tampa Bay Rowdies

2022 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference	Eastern Conference
Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Atlanta United 2
El Paso Locomotive	Birmingham Legion
LA Galaxy II	Charleston Battery
Las Vegas Lights	Detroit City FC
Monterey Bay Union	FC Tulsa
New Mexico United	Hartford Athletic
Oakland Roots	Indy Eleven
Orange County SC	Loudoun United
Phoenix Rising	Louisville City FC
Rio Grande Valley Toros	Memphis 901
Sacramento Republic	Miami FC
San Antonio FC	New York Red Bulls II
San Diego Loyal	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
	Tampa Bay Rowdies

February 9, 2023
The Birmingham Legion announce they will form a women's team to join the United Soccer League's W League. The team will compete in the upcoming 2023 season this May.

The USL W League is a "pre-professional" circuit intended to provide a new pathway for local, elite female players between college and professional soccer. The league just completed its inaugural season and anticipates having 65 teams across 23 states this summer.

The Legion will be partnering with Birmingham United Soccer Association/Alabama Football Club to identify and develop female players. "We are excited to partner with Legion FC with the USL W League launch in Birmingham. We’re excited about the opportunity to continue to provide extraordinary women exceptional pathways for continued growth and development," said BUSA/Alabama FC Executive Director Andrew Brower.

The new team's name, logo, and schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

March 2023

		2023                               United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery		Colorado Springs Switchbacks		Detroit City FC		El Paso Locomotive
	FC Tulsa		Hartford Athletic		Indy Eleven		Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United
	Louisville City FC		Memphis 901		Miami FC		Monterey Bay Union		New Mexico United
	Oakland Roots		Orange County SC		Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds		Rio Grande Valley Toros
	Sacramento Republic		San Antonio FC		San Diego Loyal		Tampa Bay Rowdies

2023 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference	Eastern Conference
Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Birmingham Legion
El Paso Locomotive	Charleston Battery
Las Vegas Lights	Detroit City FC
Monterey Bay Union	FC Tulsa
New Mexico United	Hartford Athletic
Oakland Roots	Indy Eleven
Orange County SC	Loudoun United
Phoenix Rising	Louisville City FC
Rio Grande Valley Toros	Memphis 901
Sacramento Republic	Miami FC
San Antonio FC	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
San Diego Loyal	Tampa Bay Rowdies

May 12, 2023

	Dominique Wilkins

The Birmingham Legion announce they will have the privilege of hosting a home match against a Major League Soccer team, Charlotte FC on May 24th at Protective Stadium. The matchup is due to the Legion's advancement in the Lamar Hunt U. S. Open Cup series.

The Legion has played matches against Atlanta United, another MLS team, but those were all played in the preseason. This match will be the first time they will face an MLS team in the regular season.

June 20, 2023
The Legion announce that a new investor has joined their ownership group, National Basketball Association Hall-of-Famer Dominique Wilkins.

Wilkins spent the majority of his NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks in 1982 to 1994. He retired as a player after the 1999 season and is currently the vice president of basketball operations for the Hawks.

March 2024

		2024                               United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Legion		Charleston Battery		Colorado Springs Switchbacks		Detroit City FC		El Paso Locomotive
	FC Tulsa		Hartford Athletic		Indy Eleven		Las Vegas Lights		Loudoun United
	Louisville City FC		Memphis 901		Miami FC		Monterey Bay Union		New Mexico United
	North Carolina FC		Oakland Roots		Orange County SC		Phoenix Rising		Pittsburgh Riverhounds
	Rhode Island FC		Sacramento Republic		San Antonio FC		Tampa Bay Rowdies

2024 United Soccer League Championship
Western Conference	Eastern Conference
Colorado Springs Switchbacks	Birmingham Legion
El Paso Locomotive	Charleston Battery
FC Tulsa	Detroit City FC
Las Vegas Lights	Hartford Athletic
Memphis 901	Indy Eleven
Monterey Bay Union	Loudoun United
New Mexico United	Louisville City FC
Oakland Roots	Miami FC
Orange County SC	North Carolina FC
Phoenix Rising	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Sacramento Republic	Rhode Island FC
San Antonio FC	Tampa Bay Rowdies

March 26, 2024
The Birmingham Legion FC announced today the launch of a USL League Two team that will compete in the upcoming 2024 season. 

Birmingham Legion FC 2, as it will be called, will provide a new pathway for local, elite, male players between college and professional soccer.

The team's logo will mirror the parent club's logo but with a white "2" in the anvil.

USL League Two is a pathway to professional soccer to develop the next generation of talent on and off the field. USL League Two kicks off its season in May with 128 clubs across 18 divisions. Birmingham Legion FC 2 is in the South-Central Division of the Southern Conference.

August 8, 2024

	New training facility

The Birmingham Legion announce they have completed construction on a new training facility. The club will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 15.

“Legion FC is proud to unveil our new state-of-the-art training facility designed to elevate our athletes’ performance with the latest in sports technology and innovation. In partnership with Shelby County, this demonstrates the commitment to the growth of soccer in the state, and with the addition of a UAB Medicine Physical Therapy clinic in the building, the facility is one of kind in Alabama,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps.

Located at 1021 Dunnavant Valley Road, the 9,000 sq. ft. training facility features a spacious weight room, locker rooms, a team dining/lounge area, and multiple video and meeting rooms. The facility overlooks the five soccer fields at Dunnavant Valley Fields, which Legion FC has trained at for the past three seasons.

UAB Medicine Physical Therapy will have a fully staffed clinic in the building to provide physical therapy services to local residents as well as Legion FC players.

The club is currently identifying a naming rights partner.

Champions of the   United Soccer League Championship
Year	Team
2015	Rochester Rhinos
2016	New York Red Bulls II
2017	Louisville City FC
2018	Louisville City FC (2nd)
2019	Real Monarchs
2020	Championship match cancelled: COVID-19
2021	Orange County SC
2022	San Antonio FC
2023	Phoenix Rising
2024	Colorado Springs Switchbacks

	Years local team participated

			Teams of the                           United Soccer League Championship
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Arizona United 2015 to 2016		Atlanta United 2 2018 to 2022		Austin Aztek 2015		Austin Bold 2019 to 2021		Bethlehem Steel 2016 to 2019
	Birmingham Legion 2019 to 2024		Charleston Battery 2015 to 2024		Charlotte Independence 2015 to 2021		Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2015 to 2024		Detroit City FC 2022 to 2024
	El Paso Locomotive 2015 to 2024		FC Cincinnati 2016 to 2018		FC Montreal 2015 to 2016		FC Tulsa 2020 to 2024		Fresno FC 2018 to 2019
	Harrisburg City Islanders 2015 to 2017		Hartford Athletic 2019 to 2024		Indy Eleven 2018 to 2024		LA Galaxy II 2015 to 2022		Las Vegas Lights 2018 to 2024
	Loudoun United 2019 to 2024		Louisville City FC 2015 to 2024		Memphis 901 2019 to 2024		Miami FC 2020 to 2024		Monterey Bay Union 2022 to 2024
	Nashville SC 2018 to 2019		New Mexico United 2019 to 2024		New York Red Bulls II 2015 to 2022		North Carolina FC 2018 to 2020; 2024		Oakland Roots 2021 to 2024
	OKC Energy 2015 to 2021; 2023		Orange County Blues 2015 to 2016		Orange County SC 2017 to 2024		Orlando City B 2016 to 2017		Ottawa Fury 2017 to 2019
	Penn FC 2018		Philadelphia Union II 2020		Phoenix Rising 2017 to 2024		Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2015 to 2024		Portland Timbers 2 2015 to 2020
	Real Monarchs 2015 to 2021		Reno 1868 2017 to 2020		Rhode Island FC 2024		Richmond Kickers 2015 to 2018		Rio Grande Valley Toros 2016 to 2023
	Rochester Rhinos 2015 to 2017		Sacramento Republic 2015 to 2024		Saint Louis FC 2015 to 2020		San Antonio FC 2016 to 2024		San Diego Loyal 2020 to 2023
	Seattle Sounders FC 2 2015 to 2018		Sporting Kansas City II 2020 to 2021		Swope Park Rangers 2016 to 2019		Tacoma Defiance 2019 to 2021		Tampa Bay Rowdies 2017 to 2024
	Toronto FC II 2015 to 2018		Tulsa Roughnecks 2015 to 2019		Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 2015 to 2017		Wilmington Hammerheads 2015 to 2016

Contact Gene Crowley
Last update: November 25, 2024