Birmingham Legion FC’s Juan Agudelo has been voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament for the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Agudelo started every game of Birmingham’s run, scoring three goals (one game-winner) and a game-winning assist to help the USL Championship side upset the club’s first MLS team and became the first Alabama club to reach the Quarterfinals.
The 30-year-old forward won the award over league rival Arturo Ordonez of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and teammate, Prosper Kasim.
The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters, and select backers from TheCup.us’ Patreon. If you’d like to vote in this poll, please consider a pledge of $10 or more and help us continue to cover the US Open Cup each year and to also research its long history.
Sweet Home Cupset ???? | @bhmlegion #USOC20223 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/hErzLMZHQO
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 25, 2023
Agudelo was a force throughout the tournament, opening his 2023 campaign with a brace against the Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL League One), in a 4-1 win in the Scenic City. In the following match, he went for the Chattanooga double. While Agudelo was kept off the scoresheet, he played 120 minutes in a 1-1 draw at home against Chattanooga FC (NISA). Even though his penalty kick attempt in the shootout was stopped, the Legion prevailed 4-3. Agudelo followed his performance by getting on the scoresheet against Birmingham’s biggest rival, Memphis 901 FC. He opened the scoring in a 3-0 home win to move Legion on to the Round of 16 for the first time in the club’s relatively brief history.
Agudelo then provided an assist in what many would call the biggest moment in Legion history in front of their home fans at Protective Stadium. He delivered a pass to Prosper Kasim in the 60th minute which would be the only goal Birmingham would need in a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC (MLS). Birmingham’s run would come to an end with a 1-0 loss to Inter Miami CF, but Agudelo was a handful all night for the MLS team’s backline in front of a record crowd of 18,418.
The former US international had a tournament to remember, leading his team to a cup run that will not soon be forgotten by Birmingham Legion fans.