After their “cupset” of Charlotte FC, Birmingham Legion will host Inter Miami in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup with each team looking to make history.
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals: Inter Miami
Inter Miami (MLS) progressed to the quarterfinals after victories against Miami FC (USLC), Charleston Battery (USLC), and Nashville SC (MLS). Their league form has left something to be desired as they currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Player Availability
Player availability has been a factor in their struggles. Their two best midfielders, Gregore and Jean Mota, are sidelined with long term injuries. Rodolfo Pizzaro has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring injury. Forward Robbie Robinson has also missed significant time.
Two more injuries were added to that list in their latest match. Both Dixon Arroyo and Ryan Sailor went off with injuries in their latest match. The full extent of their injuries is not known, but they may be set to miss the quarterfinal matchup.
Top Performers
Inter Miami have benefitted from the return of Leo Campana who missed a period of the season with a calf injury. He and Josef Martinez lead the squad with three goals scored each. Goal scoring outside of that duo is sparse with eight players each scoring one goal. As a team, they average 0.9 goals per match through 16 league matches.
Shuffling of the lineup led to the emergence of Benjamin Cremaschi and David Ruiz, age 18 and 19 respectively. The young duo have been impactful since being introduced to the lineup. Ruiz has tallied one goal and one assist. Cremaschi also tallied an assist in addition to five chances created.
When healthy, Dixon Arroyo rounds out the central midfield trio. In his absence, another youngster may roam the midfield. Ian Fray, 20 years old, was Arroyo’s replacement when he left the match. Fray performed well, rounding out his performance with a goal.
In the wide areas of midfield, Corentin Jean, Robert Taylor, and Nico Stefanelli feature most frequently. The backline has remained consistent throughout the season. The full back pairing is DeAndre Yedlin and Franco Negri. The backline is rounded out by Kamal Miller and Serhiy Kryvtsov.
Drake Callender has been a constant figure in goal for Miami. He leads the league in shots saved with 65 saves, averaging 4.1 per match. His form this season saw him rewarded with a callup with the USMNT for the Continental Clasico and the CONCACAF Nations League.
Javi Morales
The elephant in the room is the dismissal of head coach Phil Neville. After starting the season with two wins, Miami plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. A loss to New York Red Bulls was the final straw for Neville.
The interim head coach is Javi Morales who has served as an academy coach since 2019. His first match in charge was a 1-2 loss to D.C. United. There was a quick turnaround from his appointment to his first match and there is a quick turnaround to the cup match. A “new manager bounce” was unable to lead to victory in his first match, but he has taken the reins of a talented squad that is capable of a winning performance.
Birmingham Legion
Birmingham Legion (USLC) progressed to this round following victories over Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL1), Chattanooga FC (NISA), and Memphis 901 FC (USLC). And Charlotte FC (MLS). Their league form sees them placed 5th in the Eastern Conference. The most recent fixture for Birmingham came May 27th and was a 1-0 loss to Detroit City FC.
Top Performers
In league play, Enzo Martinez leads the team in scoring with five goals. He has also added two assists. Former USMNT international Juan Agudelo is the top scorer in Cup matches with three goals. Neither man scored in their R/O 16 tie with Charlotte FC, but both were instrumental in providing a constant threat when Birmingham attacked.
As expected given the matchup in the R/O 16, Birmingham sat deep and defended for portions of the match. On the counter attack during the first half, they found success on the left flank through Tyler Pasher. In the second half, and after the red card, the attack shifted and threatened greatly down the right flank.
Prosper Kasim did well to attack space vacated by the Charlotte defense and their man disadvantage. It was Kasim who was the difference on the scoresheet following his left footed strike. He has also been an effective playmaker for Birmingham tallying five assists across all competitions.
As previously mentioned, Birmingham maintained a defensive posture for portions of the match especially in the first half. The backline of Gabriel Alves, Phanuel Kavita, Alex Crognale, and Collin Smith maintained their defensive shape well. Their organization kept Charlotte from building up through the center of the pitch, forcing them to attack from wide areas. Goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg was monumental in preserving a clean sheet. He made four saves in the match.
Home Field Advantage
Home field advantage played a role in the cupset. A record 12,722 fans were in attendance for the R/O 16 matchup. That tally came as the University of Alabama and Auburn University baseball teams were playing in the SEC tournament in Hoover, AL, less than 30 minutes from Protective Stadium. This match will come without any Alabama or Auburn baseball in progress, so a good crowd is to be expected.
Match Information
Birmingham Legion (USLC) vs Inter Miami CF (MLS)
- When: June 7th, 8:00 ET
- Where: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama
- How to Watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network
For more information on Birmingham Legion this season, click the links below;
For more football news this season, click the link below;