Birmingham Legion took on NISA side Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and secured safe passage into the next round after goalkeeper Trevor Spagenberg saved an easy Leonel Alvarenga penalty which sent the Tuscaloosa crowd home happy with a 4-3 (1-1) win in kicks.
The match was played in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama’s soccer complex in front of a crowd of 150 people. The game started slow with both sides not looking very comfortable on the ball but the hosts found the net first.
In the 31st minute, forward Prosper Kasim took advantage of a poor clearance and punished Chattanooga with a beautiful curling effort from the outside of the box. Kasim’s shot took the goalkeeper completely by surprise and all Jean Antoine could do was admire the ball curl into his net.
Sit back and enjoy the PK shoot-out in all its glory ????#HammerDown | #USOC2023
— Birmingham Legion FC (@bhmlegion) April 27, 2023
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The goal seemingly took the life out of a confident Chattanooga side but the held onto the game by keeping the score at 1-0 going into the half. Birmingham were comfortable throughout the entire half and were rarely ever challenged. The home side ended the first half on top and full of confidence for the next 45 minutes.
Chattanooga had other ideas however for how the second half would play out. With swift passing, controlled possession, and more attempts on goal; you would have assumed that it was an entirely different team on the pitch than the one seen in the first half.
In the 68th minute Chattanooga’s constant attacks finally paid off after winger Taylor Gray was fouled in the box after some silky touches to get past his defender. Norwegian forward Markus Naglestad stepped up to the spot and sent the keeper the opposite direction to equalize for the away side.
This goal seemed to wake up the home side as they went all out attack in order to find a winner. Chattanooga however were comfortable and confident in their ability to deter any attack formed. Chattanooga can thank their lucky stars that they had Jean Antoine between the sticks as the goalkeeper kept the ball out of the net with some spectacular saves in order to push his team to the finish line.
With the score tied at 1-1 after an eventful 90 minutes, extra time began and Birmingham were relentless with their attacking presence as they tested Chattanooga’s back line on multiple occasions. Jean Antoine kept his side from conceding yet again stopping several shots after swift attacking plays from Birmingham kept penetrating the backline of Chattanooga.
With the score still tied after an additional 30 minutes, both teams scored their first penalty all the way until the second set. Coming up big again, Jean Antoine saved back-to-back penalties from Juan Agudelo after coming off of his line for the first penalties. Chattanooga missed the following penalty which kept the penalty score at 1-1.
Every player converted until Leonel Alvarenga’s penalty to keep the shootout was saved by Spagenburg. A cruel ending to an incredible run for Chattanooga FC and a big sigh of relief for Birmingham as they escape and move onto the Fourth Round for the first time in their history.
