Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — New Mexico United 4th with 43 points, Birmingham Legion 21st with 20, 23 apart. New Mexico United ranked just 12th in the league on five-round form despite their 4th table position. Scoring rates set the scale: Birmingham Legion 1.33 scored and 1.75 conceded per game, New Mexico United 1.54 and 1.13, with the league averaging 1.36.
Birmingham Legion had not won in 5 games, having scored in 13 consecutive games. Over the last five, Birmingham Legion had taken 2 of 15 points to New Mexico United's 8.
BBVA Compass Field, capacity 5,000, hosted the game. B. Stevis officiated: 63 games logged, averaging 1.5 yellow cards each. Half-time and full-time told different stories: New Mexico United led 2-1 at the break, before 5 more goals closed it at 4-4.
Goal scorers
Birmingham Legion: Romario Williams (11'), Ronaldo Damus (77'), G. Diarbian (87'), Ronaldo Damus (90') · New Mexico United: Zico Bailey (16'), Niall Reid-Stephen (19'), Greg Hurst (64'), Joseph Melto Quiah (66')
Key stats
Possession: Birmingham Legion 52% · New Mexico United 48% · Total shots: 25-11 · On target: 14-7 · Corners: 9-0