Birmingham Legion FC

Birmingham Legion FC is a professional soccer club based in Birmingham, Alabama, that competes in the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. The USL granted Birmingham a franchise on August 9, 2017, and the club played its first professional match on March 10, 2019.[1]

Name and founding

The club’s name, revealed on January 17, 2018, refers to the historic Legion Field, which opened in 1927. The Wikipedia article gives conflicting origin information, with an infobox date of 2017 and body text saying the club was established in August 2013 and played as the Birmingham Hammers until 2018.[1] See Legion Field.

Stadiums

The club first played at BBVA Field, home of the UAB Blazers. In November 2021 it and the University of Alabama System agreed to end its eight-year lease early, and on December 7, 2021, the club announced it would play at Protective Stadium beginning in 2022. A match against Memphis 901 was moved to Legion Field in 2021 because of unplayable pitch conditions elsewhere and drew a club-record crowd of 10,177 (the page’s citation gives a different month).[1] See Protective Stadium.

Seasons and U.S. Open Cup

The club finished second in the Central Division in 2021 and reached the conference semifinals, reached the conference quarterfinals in 2022 and the conference semifinals in 2023, and missed the playoffs in 2024 and 2025. In 2023 it posted a record of 14 wins, 16 losses and 4 draws, and in the U.S. Open Cup beat MLS club Charlotte FC 1-0 at Protective Stadium before a then-record home crowd of 12,722, the club’s first win over an MLS side. It lost to Inter Miami CF 1-0 in the quarterfinal before a record 18,418.[1]

Names and founding

The USL granted the franchise on August 9, 2017. The club played as Birmingham Hammers until 2018, and the Birmingham Legion FC name, revealed January 17, 2018, references the historic Legion Field. It began its first professional season on March 10, 2019, in the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer.[2]

Stadiums and attendance

The club first played at BBVA Field, home of the UAB Blazers, and has played at Protective Stadium since 2022. League average attendance was 4,389 in 2021, 5,405 in 2022, 5,091 in 2023, 3,708 in 2024 and 4,490 in 2025.[2]

Coaches and notable seasons

Tom Soehn was the first head coach, from August 2018 to April 2025, and Mark Briggs took over on April 30, 2025. In 2021 the club finished second in the Central Conference; in 2022 it finished fourth in the East and reached the conference quarterfinals. In 2023 it beat MLS side Charlotte FC 1-0 in the U.S. Open Cup, its first win over an MLS team, then lost 1-0 to Inter Miami before a record 18,418 fans. It finished 12th in the East in 2025.[2]

FAQs

Where does Birmingham Legion FC play? At Protective Stadium in Birmingham since 2022.

When did the club play its first match? March 10, 2019.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Birmingham Legion FC
2. Wikipedia: Birmingham Legion FC

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue