The Week That Was: 8 days, 7 games

When Lennon and McCartney (Paul, not Dawson) wrote “8 Days a Week” it was apparently a reference to working hard. That is definitely apposite for the the Legion, whose various teams played a total of 7 games over an 8-day period from last Wednesday to this past Wednesday. Call it a week. On the other hand, the French mean a week when they say “huit jours”, so probably not the best example to follow¹I lived in France for two years, so I am allowed to diss the French mercilessly..

This is also in place of our normal game wrap-ups (player ratings and tactical analysis), as there’s far too much for us to delve into. So what all happened?

Legion 2 1-1 East Atlanta

In the team’s inaugural game, played at Protective, they hosted East Atlanta (formerly the Dutch Lions). Legion 2 were generally the better team on the afternoon, despite playing against a team that several players, including their goalie, who looked to be closing in on 30 years old, if not older. After a scoreless first half, the Legion took the lead after 60 minutes on a Kobi Mosley (I think) score. That got nullified after another ten minutes when a very silly foul in the box gave East Atlanta a penalty which Brock Marlow was unable to stop. Legion 2 had a few more scoring chances but were unable to convert and that’s how the game ended.

Legion FC 0-1 Charleston Battery

Later that same day the Three Sparks faced their toughest opponent of the season to date, the league-leading Battery. Playing out of an officially announced 4-2-2-2, but what looked more like a 4-3-3, the Legion opted to go with a very high press. Other than hitting the net, this proved pretty effective even against the Battery’s low block. All told, the two teams played a very even game although the Legion had the bulk of the shooting: 13-7 and 5-4 on target. Adam Grinwis – who had to leave the game with seconds left after a nasty collision with Preston Tabort Etaka – is tough to beat though and the Legion was doomed to the loss on the game’s only goal when Emilio Ycaza left AJ Paterson behind in the 61st minute. The Legion will also be ruing the obvious penalty they were not awarded.

Greenville Liberty 1-3 Legion WFC

Next up on Friday was Legion WFC’s first game of the season, the first of three straight on the road. After dominating for 37 minutes, Legion WFC finally took the lead on a 20-yard screamer by Grace Freeman, which would be a Goal of the Week contender if W League had such a thing. However, that was followed up by an equally impressive Linerty goal barely a minute later. Legion WFC continued to control the game in the second half and after just 5 minutes got a penalty on a blatant handball. Tatum Ahlemeyer converted to put WFC on top for good. The win was iced after 70 minutes by who other than Norah Roller. The Liberty did hit the woodwork twice, so the final score does flatter WFC a little.

Asheville City 3-0 Legion WFC

The very next day WFC had to play again, and went unsurprisingly with a moderately rotated lineup. The game was first rain-delayed and then ultimately shortened. It did not prove to be a good evening for WFC who were down after 22 minutes and conceded again just before half-time and then again 5 minutes into the second half. A game they needed to put behind them quickly.

Tennessee SC 2-0 Legion 2

On to Monday, and another reversal for the club. This time Legkion 2 were upended by Tennessee who were playing their first game of the season on home turf.  Goals in the 18th and 52nd minutes were all they needed to send Legion 2 home without points.

Athens United 1-1 Legion 2

Another quick turnaround, and the first of a double-header in Athens, where the home club was playing its first ever League 2 game. Legion 2 took the lead after 16 minutes on a goal credited to Lucas Rizzo but was in fact an own goal. Athens countered just a minute later with a long-range strike direct from a free kick that Brock Marlow had no chance to stop. After that the two teams played more or less to a standoff and that is how the game ended.

Athens United 1-2 Legion WFC

The week was capped off by the ladies, also in Athens. This time they fell behind after 24 minutes on a crazy 40-yard goal that was taken catching Mac Titus out of position. WFC were not fazed by that though and were the stringer team for much of the game. Norah Roller tied up in the 37th minute, taking advantage of a loose ball in the box. WFC got the game-winner in the 64th minute on a breakaway by Madeleine Massie whose very slow shot was ushered into the net by Graycie Elliott. The Legion  ladies get 6 of 9 points on the road to start the season in relatively strong form.

With all that, Legion WFC are tied on points at the top of the South Central Division, but are 3rd on goal difference, trailing Asheville City by 2 goals and Tennessee SC by 7. Tennessee have played just two games but have scored 4 goals in each. Legion 2 are 5th in their version of the same division on just 2 points and have played more games already than anyone else. A generally successful week; can the Legion improve on it this week?