A persistent drumbeat permeated the souls of 5,800 Legion FC fans on Sunday afternoon; anticipation was building in the supporters section all throughout the first half.
Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump da dump bump!
Can you hear it?
Just under ten minutes into the Bethlehem Steel match – a Legion FC throw-in.
Culbertson drops it to Femi. Femi lays the ball off back to Johnson. Johnson takes one touch and centers the ball to Kobayashi.
An immediate snap pass to the strong forward, Hoffman, at the top of the 18-yard box creates just enough of an opening for Femi to streak towards goal. Hoffman hold’s it for half a second and drops it to Femi’s feet.
Heavy first touch. Bethlehem Steel avoided the early goal. But it was a moment that elicited a collective gasp, and then applause in the stands.
The Northside Stands screamed, “Come on you Boys in Black!”
No answer from the Southside stands.
Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump da dump bump!
Can you hear it?
30th Minute: a dangerous Kobayashi corner kick is cleared by Bethlehem Steel. The ball finds the feet of a steady left back, Culbertson around midfield. He looks up and switches the ball to veteran Avila on the right side of the pitch.
Avila fires a hopeful ball over the approaching defenders – maybe 30 yards. Femi leaps in the air and heads the ball down to a streaking Daniel Johnson around 25 yards out from goal.
Johnson takes one touch and lays a strong pass onto the left foot of the speedy Kasim. Kasim dangerously cuts the ball back to the native-son Hoffman’s outstretched foot. It does not connect.
Bethlehem Steel avoided the second dangerous Legion attack of the match. And the energy in the stands continued to build.
The Northside Stands screamed, “Come on you Boys in Black.”
No answer from the Southside stands.
Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump ba dump bump! Bump da dump bump!
Can you hear it?
33rd Minute: Culbertson collects a stray pass in the defensive third. One, two, three touches and a pass to Kobayashi at midfield.
One touch, and turn: Daigo hits a 15-yard sharp pass to the feet of Hoffman, who holds the ball up.
Hoffman lays it off for Kobayashi who is now sprinting towards goal. Daigo one-time passes the ball to his right to the inverted left-footer, Kasim. Four quick, aggressive touches later, the ball switches the point of attack to Daniel Johnson on the wide-left side of the pitch.
One touch and Johnson fires a cross through the box to Daigo, who has made a 50-yard sprint to find himself unmarked in front of the goal. The ball glances off his forehead towards the far post.
Just wide.
Bethlehem Steel avoided goal number three in the span of the first 35-minutes.
The Supporters are ready to explode in jubilation.
The Northside stands screamed, “Come on you Boys in Black.”
No answer from the Southside stands.
Alas, these are a few of the moments that marked Legion FC’s debut in its inaugural season. Greatness just under the surface, ready to explode onto the Magic City.
By now, you know the scoreline. Legion 0. Steel 2.
But there is potential for something really special with this club, both on the field and in the stands.
The Boys in Black had their moments on the pitch. Likewise, the supporters had their moments, too.
But – we can all be better.
And no moment, in the stands or on the field, will be greater than that first goal and that first win. It’s coming, Birmingham.
Can you feel it?
Good luck, Ottawa. You’ll need it.
Birmingham Backline 