San Diego Loyal defeat Birmingham Legion FC 3-0 at Torero
Credit: SD Loyal
The San Diego Loyal are back on top. After winning their last match against RGV Toros and winning again today, San Diego has earned a huge six points to move them up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
“This is the time of year where we have to have everything buttoned up defensively,” head coach Nate Miller said. “It’s good to get a clean sheet but mainly it was great to be in front of our supporters today so it was great to put up a good performance for them.”
The Loyal improved to (12-7-7) on the season with 43 points and a (+13) goal difference. For Legion, they fell to (11-13-3) with 39 points, which places them 7th in the Eastern Conference.
Head coach Nate Miller issued what looked to be a 3-5-2 formation with Koke Vegas in goal to start out. Evan Conway and Tumi Moshobane started as the two forwards with Charlie Adams back at captain for the Loyal.
At the beginning of the match, Vegas was playing very high as almost a 4th defender, allowing the likes of Blake Bodily and Elijah Martin to move up as midfielders on the attack.
The move paid off, as San Diego scored two goals in the first half. However, one slip up and SD could have conceded a goal very easily with Vegas that high.
The scoring started in the 18th minute after Bodily drilled in a liner from the left side of the box. There was nothing Legion goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel could have done.
Right place, right time.
Well in, @BlakeBodily 👏 #SDvBHM pic.twitter.com/s7WxHlhzg7
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) September 3, 2023
Bodily scored his fifth goal of the season in stunning fashion.
Birmingham tried to respond quickly with of a goal of their own, however, Vegas was in the right place at the right time and kept the advantage intact. Vegas was all over the place in the first half, and in a shutout, that is a great sign.
Does anyone know the time? Tumi does.
In the 39th minute Tumi Moshobane scored the second goal of the match, also from the left side of the box.
No need to check your watch. ⏰#SDvBHM | @Tumi_Scara10 pic.twitter.com/UUQanxCzMO
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) September 3, 2023
Moshobane scored his 7th goal of the USL campaign.
The second half of this match did not showcase much action. San Diego continued to dominate possession and tried to add on to their advantage. Although, Legion was not having it. They defended much better in the second 45 to keep it a two-score difference.
Vegas did his thing and kept them scoreless the entire way. This was quietly one of his better performances of the season earning him another clean sheet and Man of the Match honors.
Collin Martin scored the third and final goal of the game, which was a special one for the day-1 starter. He was asked what the goal meant for him.
“Incredible,” Martin said. ” Right when I scored I knew right where I was going to my family and friends over in that corner.”
Martin followed up by speaking on why he chose to come to San Diego four years ago.
“The big reason why I came here four years ago was because of my sister,” Martin said. “She lives in La Jolla and she has come to just about every home game. To be able to have her, family and friends to come over the years means a lot to me.”
The next match for the Loyal is this Saturday, Sept. 9 against Charleston Battery on the road. The next home match is at the end of the month when they host Las Vegas Lights FC at Torero Stadium on 9/24 at 3 p.m.
The time is running out. If you haven’t attended a Loyal match then you are missing out. Just two home matches remain in the regular season.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris is also an athlete and is huge fan of San Diego sports. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and contributes regularly about the Padres.