ALABAMA: Lower Alabama Report - April 8
- Dan Floyd
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Birmingham Legion:
Last week's match - Birmingham Legion 2-2 Loudoun United: Both teams came into the match without a win, and each were on one point. Legion continues to show that they're dangerous in the attack, while they need to gain some steadiness defending set pieces. Tyler Pasher had a brace for Birmingham (and was named to the USL Championship team of the week), as Loudoun came from behind twice to get the draw. A key play was a very soft penalty given that led to Loudoun's second goal.
This week's match - Birmingham Legion vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds; Sunday, April 12 at 4:00 CT.
Bob Lilley is gone, and the Riverhounds are the reigning league champions. So far, 2026 has been dramatically different than 2025. Pittsburgh's run through the playoffs saw them score one goal through four games, while allowing none. They rode to the championship on the back of penalty shootouts. In the first five games this season, they've allowed a whopping ten goals while scoring eight themselves. Contrast those 10 goals allowed against 28, 28, and 29 over the past three entire seasons, this is just not the same team. Up front they're led by Albert Dikwa, who has returned after two seasons with Rhode Island. Dikwa was the Golden Boot winner in 2023 when he was with Pittsburgh. He's off to a quick start this season with 3 goals and 1 assist from five games. Birmingham comes back home for the first time since the game on March 11 against Hartford. Their first two games saw Legion allow just one goal while scoring none. Then there's been this odd period with long breaks between games, and things have shifted dramatically. Legion has scored 4 times, and allowed 5 goals in the two most recent games. A slew of injuries have meant that lineups have been inconsistent overall, but that looks like it's about to change. Most of the players are available again, and this stretch will see one game each week for five weeks in a row. Look for the team chemistry to sharpen up, and for Birmingham to start getting some points.
Huntsville City FC:
This week’s match - Huntsville City vs Chicago Fire II; Saturday, April 11 at 7:00 CT.
Huntsville comes into this week's match after being on a break since March 21st. Frankly, they needed it. They have had some significant issues defensively, and a three game road stand to start the season didn't help anything. They've scored eight goals of their own (led by Shak Mohammed's 3), but have given up an alarming 14 goals in four games. Half of those goals were dropped on them by Crown Legacy, who has scored 19 goals in just five games (and only allowed three - two of those were by Huntsville). Chicago is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. They're in a similar place in the table, but they've scored four goals and allowed four goals. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Will it be high-scoring, or a low-scoring slugfest? Huntsville needs to put Chicago away in regulation; Chicago has taken the extra point each time they've been in a shootout after a draw.
UPSL Premier:
FC Birmingham vs Pachuca; Saturday, April 11 at 6:00 CT. FCB looks like they're gaining strength this season, with two close games under their belt, including a 1-1 draw against Potros. Pachuca has started off slow, with dual 1-1 draws. One of those draws was against Georgia Impact, who downed Birmingham 0-2 in the first game. Expect this to be tight, and likely a draw.
FC Columbus Elite at Red Top; Saturday, April 11 at 7:00 ET. This is only Red Top's second home game, and their first was their only win. They're capable of scoring goals, and are going to give Colgaelite a tough game. Look for Red Top to try to shut down Jackson Wrobel, which can free up Tristan Shytle. I think Elite gets three more points here.
UMA FC vs Kalonji Pro-Profile; Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 CT. UMA is coming into this match after being mauled by Lawrenceville. It won't get any easier against Kalonji, who is riding high at the top of the table. KPP has scored 15 goals in four games and have allowed zero. If UMA finds a way to steal a point it will be an upset.
UPSL Division 1:
Columbus Knight Eagles vs FC Columbus Elite 2; Saturday, April 11 at 3:00 CT. This Lower Alabama rivalry should tell us a lot about these two squads. In general, I tend to favor a first team over a reserve team. But, the Fountain City merger with Colgaelite means this a different type of reserve squad. Elite has yet to allow a goal, and CKE is coming off of a 9-1 drubbing.
Calera FC at Middle Georgia United; Saturday, April 11 at 6:00 ET. This match-up will be a good chance for Calera to get their first win. Middle Georgia has hovered at the bottom of the table the past couple of seasons, and they lost their only game this season 2-5 against Lake Country. Calera's most recent game was a 1-3 loss to that same Lake Country team. Expect this to be close, and for Calera to come out on top.
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