Birmingham Legion FC defeats Tampa Bay Rowdies in season opener

The two USL Championship teams faced off in a close match on March 7, 2026.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Birmingham Legion FC defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 in their season opener on March 7, 2026. The match was a close contest between the two USL Championship teams, with Birmingham scoring the winning goal late in the second half.

Why it matters

The USL Championship is a highly competitive professional soccer league in the United States, and this match-up between Birmingham and Tampa Bay featured two teams looking to get off to a strong start in the new season.

The details

Birmingham Legion FC took an early lead in the 15th minute, but Tampa Bay equalized in the 60th minute. The game-winning goal for Birmingham came in the 82nd minute, securing the victory for the home team.

  • The match was played on March 7, 2026.
  • Birmingham scored the opening goal in the 15th minute.
  • Tampa Bay scored the equalizer in the 60th minute.
  • Birmingham scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute.

The players

Birmingham Legion FC

The professional soccer team based in Birmingham, Alabama, that competes in the USL Championship.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

The professional soccer team based in Tampa, Florida, that competes in the USL Championship.

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What’s next

The two teams will face off again later in the season, with the rematch scheduled for June 21, 2026.

The takeaway

This early-season match-up between Birmingham and Tampa Bay showcased the competitive nature of the USL Championship, with both teams looking to establish themselves as contenders in the league.