Recap: Sporting Kansas City II falls at table-topping Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday

Sporting Kansas City II (4-19-8, 20 points) fell to a heavy 6-0 setback at table-topping Birmingham Legion FC (18-7-6, 60 pts.) at BBVA Field on Sunday afternoon. Birmingham scored four times in the first half and twice in the second to leapfrog Louisville City FC into first place in the Eastern Central Division.

Birmingham raced into an early lead as former New England Revolution Homegrown player Zachary Heriveaux volleyed home from close range. The goal was initially disallowed for offside but referee Greg Dopka elected to award the goal after consulting his crew.

In the 18th minute, Bruno Lapa slammed a half-volley into the top corner to double the lead. Sporting II almost pulled a goal back six minutes later as Ozzie Cisneros picked out Enoch Mushagalusa on the left wing who cut inside on his right foot and curled an effort narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Neco Brett was the next player on the scoresheet for Birmingham as he slammed home his 18th goal of the season from close range in the 31st minute. Eight minutes later, Lapa added his second goal of the match to make it 4-0 heading into halftime.

SKC Academy winger Mataeo Bunbury almost pulled a goal back in the 41st minute when he spun in the area and forced a sharp save from Matt Van Oekel who tipped it out for a corner kick.

Halftime substitute Rojay Smith almost made an immediate impact for SKC II as just seconds into the second half, he snuck in behind the Birmingham backline but could only prod his effort wide of the target. In the 53rd minute, Kayden Pierre did brilliantly to deflect Junior Flemmings’ effort wide after the Jamaican had rounded John Pulskamp.

Flemmings would get his goal in the 70th minute, firing a deflected effort into the bottom corner. In the 76th minute, Prosper Kasim got in on the action, firing home Birmingham’s sixth and final goal of the game following a turnover deep in SKC II territory.

Sporting II closes out the 2021 season next weekend when the team heads to the west coast to take on the Oakland Roots on Saturday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

2021 USL Championship | Match 31
BBVA Field | Birmingham, Alabama
Weather: Partly cloudy and 72 degrees

Sporting Kansas City II: John Pulskamp; Kayden Pierre (Michael Lenis 78’), Aljaz Dzankic, Graham Smith, Isaiah LeFlore; Petar Cuic, Ozzie Cisneros (Danny Gutierrez 78’), Christian Duke (C) (Jahon Rad 18’); Mataeo Bunbury (Rojay Smith 46’), Zion Long (Jamil Roberts 46’), Enoch Mushagalusa
Subs Not Used: Remi Prieur, Danny Barbir

Birmingham Legion FC: Matt Van Oekel; Jonathan Dean (Jacob Rufe 72’), Alex Crognale, Phanuel Kavita (C) (Benjamin Ofeimu 46’), Ryan James; Zachary Heriveaux (Eli Crognale 73’), Anderson Asiedu (Thomas Vancaeyezeele 46’), Prosper Kasim, Bruno Lapa, Junior Flemmings; Neco Brett (Jaden Servania 64’)
Subs Not Used: Trevor Spangenberg, J.J. Williams

Scoring Summary:
BHM – Zachary Heriveaux 1 (Unassisted) 4’
BHM – Bruno Lapa 4 (Neco Brett 3) 18’
BHM – Neco Brett 18 (Unassisted) 31’
BHM – Bruno Lapa 5 (Unassisted) 39’
BHM – Junior Flemmings 6 (Jonathan Dean 5) 70’
BHM – Prosper Kasim 5 (Bruno Lapa 2) 76’

Misconduct Summary:
BHM – Phanuel Kavita (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 40’
BHM – Anderson Asiedu (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 45’
BHM – Zachary Heriveaux (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 63’
SKC – Michael Lenis (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 86’

Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant Referee: Truman Berghall
Assistant Referee: Kevin Huet
Fourth Official: Kyle Johnston