🇺🇸 Sources: Werder Bremen sign USYNT center back Ramiz Hamouda from Birmingham Legion. Hamouda, just turned 18 this week, featured at U-17 World Cup. Talented player, off to Bundesliga www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

SV Werder Bremen have officially confirmed Ramiz Hamouda’s transfer to the German club. The teenager, who is finally allowed to sign the paperwork to work in the EU after turning 18 two days ago, will join his new team in the summer, per the statement.

Time for some Tuesday Talking Points! I dive into Saturday’s sloppy play, the Sam-shaped hole in midfield and Heaps’ card collecting, as well as taking a look back as the club reaches 250 competitive games. open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

A night to forget for Birmingham Legion in Monterey. My recap ⬇️ bhamsports.net/2026/05/23/l...

FINAL: Monterey 2-0 Legion An embarrassing display for Birmingham, who give Monterey their first win of the season. Cant think of any positives for the Three Sparks to take away from that.

78’ Goal Monterey That might be the moment that defines this game. Pasher misses a sitter at one end and Monterey go down the opposite end to double their lead. 2-0

60’ Goal Monterey Second half improvement go to waste. Legion watch on passively as Monterey get down the right and cut it back for a tap in. Yet another goal conceded from the wide areas for Birmingham. 1-0

Half-time: Legion 0-0 Monterey Legion lucky to go in level after a very poor display. I wouldn’t want to be the players with the hairdryer treatment Jay Heaps is likely going to give them. McIllhatton’s energy a clear miss. I’d sub on Shashoua at the break if he can play 45’

Birmingham Legion lineup at Monterey (4-2-3-1): Koleilat; Tregarthen, Hughes, Kavita, McCartney; Antwi, Cole; Vassell, Pasher, Diarbian; Damus McIllhatton misses out again, but Tregarthen back into the lineup at righ back.

Another frustrating game for Legion, who drop a point in the race to the top despite winning the penalty shootout. Already two points behind SAFC in Group 3, and the team’s lack of goals is getting more worrying by the day. bhamsports.net/2026/05/16/l...

FINAL: Legion (3) 1-1 (2) Red Wolves Two points for the Three Sparks, but a lacklustre display and already two points behind San Antonio FC, who defeated One Knox in Group 3’s other game.

Full-Time: Legion 1-1 Red Wolves Birmingham Legion head to penalties for the second time already in the USL Cup. Last time, they missed three of their four attempts from 12 yards….

67’ GOAL LEGION Sebastián Saucedo gets the goal to break the deadlock. The substitute is there at the back post as a Diarbian cross runs all the way through the box. Chattanooga’s defender gets a touch to the ball but can’t keep it out. 1-0

Update on that One Knox v San Antonio game, SAFC actually broke the deadlock deep in first half stoppage time. They lead 1-0 and are top of the group as things stand.

Half-time: Legion 0-0 Red Wolves Nothing to separate the two teams after 45 minutes. Legion started brighter, but it’s been fairly even since the halfway mark. Elsewhere in Group 3, One Knox and SAFC are also locked in a 0-0 tie at the break.

Birmingham Legion lineup v Red Wolves (4-2-3-1): McMullen; Daley, Kavita, Hughes, McCartney; Antwi, Cole; Vassell, Pasher, Diarbian, Damus. Trevor McMullen gets the start in goal for just his second Legion appearance.

And if you or a loved one wants to make a USL player data card, check out the new tool I’ve got up on my site. Should be good to go for any season since 2021. www.usltactics.com/usl-player-d...

Birmingham Legion will take a break from league action this week and turn their attention to the USL Cup. With all three Championship teams in Group 3 taking on a League One foe, the Three Sparks need a win against the Red Wolves to stake their claim to top spot. bhamsports.net/2026/05/15/l...

Birmingham Legion dominated but could not kill off the game against Miami FC. It’s starting to become a worrying trend for an otherwise vastly improved Three Sparks side. bhamsports.net/2026/05/07/l...

FINAL: Legion 0-0 Miami A frustrating night for the Three Sparks, who will feel they should have taken all three points. On the positive side of things, that’s already the fourth clean sheet of the season, as many as in the entirety of 2025.

Half-time: Birmingham Legion 0-0 Miami FC A fairly even first half, though with Legion creating the better chances. Can’t recall Jassem Koleilat making a save yet, while the Three Sparks’ forwards have missed a few big opportunities.

With Hamouda turning 18 on May 26, and Legion’s next home game not till June 3, we might now have seen the last of him in the Magic City. Hopefully the youngster remains a bit longer with the Three Sparks, as he has taken another huge leap this season and looked brilliant in that Legion defense.

We are underway in Birmingham as the Three Sparks host Miami FC for some Thursday night football (soccer).

Birmingham Legion lineup v Miami (4-2-3-1): Koleilat; Daley, Hughes, Hamouda, McCartney; Antwi, McIllhatton; Tregarthen, Pasher, Diarbian; Damus. Keegan Hughes is back from injury and replaces Kavita in the starting XI.

The USL Jägermeister Cup is dead, long live the Prinx Tires USL Cup. As Birmingham Legion prepare for their first cup game this weekend, here’s everything you need to know heading into the competition. bhamsports.net/2026/04/24/l...

Following a game of two halves and a last-gasp equalizer, Birmingham Legion showed both promise and worries against Indy Eleven. I dive into their final-third issues, defensive concerns, selection headaches and look ahead to the cup in my latest talking points. open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

Despite snatching a 89th-minute equaliser, Birmingham Legion left Protective Stadium feeling like they’d dropped two points. A dominant first half was undone by a poor start to the second as the Three Sparks had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Indy Eleven. bhamsports.net/2026/04/19/l...

FINAL: Legion 2-2 Indy Legion will be happy to at least snatch a point late on, but it should have been three for the Three Sparks.

Half-time: Legion 1-0 Indy Everything pretty much going to plan for the Three Sparks. Fairly comfortable first half, though they will want to test Dick more in the second period. Romario Williams in particular playing like a man with a point to prove against his former side.

39’ GOAL LEGION Tyler Pasher confidently dispatches the penalty into the top corner. 1-0

Minute of solidarity as chants of “Support the Players” ring out, and we’re off in Birmingham. Birmingham Legion 0-0 Indy Eleven

Birmingham Legion lineup v Indy (4-2-3-1): Koleilat; Tregarthen, Kavita, Hamouda, McCartney; Antwi, McIllhatton; Vassell, Pasher, Williams. Same team that started the second half vs Pittsburgh.

Birmingham Legion got a win on Sunday, so let’s talk about it. My latest talking points focus on the team’s depth, Ramiz Hamouda’s performances, player versatility and goalkeeper training. open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

Birmingham Legion have their first win of 2026. A Sebastian Tregarthen goal in the 25th minute saw the Three Sparks take down last year’s USL Champions. bhamsports.net/2026/04/12/l...

FINAL: Legion 1-0 Pittsburgh Three Sparks take down the defending USL Championship champs for their first win of the season. That’s the first home win in 10 games, but also back-to-back clean sheets at Protective this season.

Half-time: Legion 1-0 Pittsburgh A solid first half for the Three Sparks, who lead through Tregarthen’s goal. Pittsburgh have threatened however, and this is far from over.

25’ GOAL LEGION Beautiful cross by Dawson McCartney, and it’s turned in near post by Sebastian Tregarthen. 1-0

Moment of stillness, and we’re off. Birmingham Legion 0-0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Birmingham Legion lineup v Pittsburgh (4-2-3-1): Koleilat; Daley, Kavita, Hamouda, McCartney; Antwi, McIllhatton; Diarbian, Pasher, Tregarthen; Williams. Shashoua and Washington both out with injury.

My latest talking points are live! Discussing Birmingham Legion’s right flank question mark, rotating defence, Damus’ return and Pasher’s performance. open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

For the second game in a row, Birmingham Legion could not hold onto their lead away from home. But this time they at least leave with a point. Recap for @BirminghamSport bhamsports.net/2026/04/04/l...

FINAL: Legion 2-2 Loudoun Probably a fair result on the balance of play, but Legion will feel cheated with a very soft penalty given against them and another denied for them late on. Four games in, the Three Sparks are still seeking their first win of 2026.

79’ Goal Loudoun Loudoun equalize from the spot after Amir Daley shoves over a player in the box. Looked a pretty soft foul to give, and Legion will need to retake the lead for a third time now. 2-2

Sam Shashoua is such a next-level passer, wonderful diagonal into Sebastian Tregarthen here.

54’ GOAL LEGION Tyler Pasher has his second, but all the credit must go to Romario Williams. The striker wins in smartly in midfield before putting in a gorgeous ball for the Canadian to slam home. 2-1

Second half underway in Virginia Birmingham Legion 1-1 Loudoun United

Half-time: Legion 1-1 Loudoun Fairly even game so far, with the Three Sparks threatening in transition but also allowing the hosts a lot of possession.

31’ Goal Loudoun The hosts get the equalizer after the ball pinballs inside the box following a corner. Thats five goals conceded this season for Legion, with all five originating in the wide areas. 1-1

16’ GOAL LEGION Gevork Diarbian with a great cross field ball to Peter-Lee Vassell, who carries it forward before laying it off for Tyler Pasher to finish off. That’s the Canadian’s 40th goal in USL regular season games. 1-0

The Three Sparks are underway in Virginia. Birmingham Legion 0-0 Loudoun United.