We’ll get to the actual game results later, but first we have some thoughts on where the games were played…
So, the big question is: was the relocation to the training facility at Dunnavant Valley a success?
Well, there are a few ways to look at that, obviously. Most importantly, the fan experience at was very much a jury-rigged setup but still vastly better than at Protective Stadium. Heavy storms last Friday had made life tough for the ground crew, as much of their preparations were undone with little time to get them redone. They did a great job though. Kudos to them. A brief rain shower during the game Saturday night did not really negate their hard work, thankfully. Indeed, seeing Blake Gardner and Morgan Copes sitting atop a crane lift doing the TV announcing from under umbrellas only added to the entertainment.
Saturday’s weather, along with football games, may have impacted the size of the crowd, which was reported to the USL at 1,468. However, it felt bigger and that reflects the closeness of the fans to the field. Which was of course part of the point. However, that did not bode well for Wednesday night; a midweek game with a 7:00pm kickoff during the school year is generally not going to get strong attendance. Especially since you have to get through rush hour US280 to get there.
The opposite turned out to be the case. Wednesday’s crowd was an official 3,230, more than twice the fans. That included a significant number of kids. And, man, did those fans get a bang for their entertainment buck.
There are a few things that could have been better. A much bigger US flag, for a start! The bleachers were still a bit removed from the sideline advertising boards. That, for a temporary setup, was unavoidable as there is a distinct dip between the seating and the field that would put the seats at a weird angle and also does not drain well. The Dunnavant Valley Road end bleachers are really close, though, but are behind a net. The bleachers at the other end are even closer as they are in front of the net. They are only a few rows though because of the lack of space behind the net at that end.
But the fans in those seats were close enough and rowdy enough to give New Mexico keeper Kris Shakes all sorts of grief (impressively, mostly PG-13 rated, too). The smoke in the far corner at that end was similarly impressive. So much so that after the third Legion goal the smoke machine was quickly grabbed and moved away so the smoke wouldn’t get on the field as it had been doing all game. And since the final goal was scored off a corner on that side…
Also, the lighting wasn’t too good Saturday, but lights were added for Wednesday which made things much more visible. Off-field lighting, in contrast, was nearly non-existent; the merch and drinks tents were totally dark fairly early on. Camera coverage for the field was also limited, and at much lower angles than we are used to. None of that is surprising, though. And easily improved.
Fans on the sidelines were also able to get out of their seats and go right up to the ad boards. Which means, of course, kids were able to go up to them. And after Romario’s early goal Wednesday, that made for a truly meaningful moment. He immediately went over and low-fived a group of them before celebrating with the team. “Amazing, amazing. That group of kids that I ran over to, I actually coach them [at the Trussville Revolution], so that was, oh, that was special. That was a great moment for me, just to have them out here, you know?” Indeed, and you could see the kids loved it too.
Following on from that, the post-game player interaction with the fans was incredible. Yes, fans are allowed onto the field at Protective but were not at Dunnavant Valley, but they were able to get close to the players as they came off the field. Most of them took time out to mix with the fans. Especially Jassem Koleilat and Gevork Diarbian, who probably both have carpal tunnel syndrome from signing so many articles of clothing. They hung around well over 15 minutes to do it. I have to say, it rather brought a tear to my eye.
From at least the standpoint of the fan experience, this has to be counted as a success. The players loved it too. For a start, they all far prefer to play on grass. And they didn’t think it odd to play a game on the practice field, either. Jassem Koleilat: “Honestly, I love it…it’s really nice. I think if you had like a whole setup, making it even more stadium-like, I think it’d be absolutely phenomenal. You know, like seeing all the sidelines, how many people are there..it felt good to have the fans super close to us, you know. I feel there was more energy for them, so I enjoyed it and I think the guys did too.”
Back to the ground crew – they think a more permanent setup is achievable, and, I am told, at not too great a cost. Will that happen for 2027? Who can say. There are several conditions already in place that could make it a reality. There is plenty of parking space around the field, for one. The Valley Post restaurant complex immediately across the street should be reopening, at least partially, very soon. And if not, well, there are way more dining options up and down US280 (and further up Dunnavant Valley Road, for that matter).
Some might say, it’s not Birmingham and it’s too far. Well, obviously it’s not Birmingham as such. Not even Jefferson County. It’s still the metro area. And the Legion would not be the only team named for the city that doesn’t play in the city; the Bulls play in Pelham. The Barons played in Hoover for 25 years until Regions Field was built. Yes, it’s a decent hike for fans on the north side of the city but the population density south of town makes this a rational choice. And US280 can be a nightmare, especially on weekdays, but it does make access very direct.
This would also be a positive for Legion II and Legion WFC. They play most of their home games at Dunnavant Valley. Space for more fans can only help them and a better TV setup would make SportsEngine streams vastly better than the very unreliable current version.
A good idea? I absolutely believe so. It would not be a long-term solution, but it does represent a viable interim option until a more congenial home stadium than the cavern at Protective can be established. And getting out from under the incompetent management of the BJCC at the earliest opportunity can only be a good thing.
As for right now, there are two home games remaining in the season. The next game is the Education Day game this coming Wednesday against Brooklyn FC. That one is pretty much dialed in at Protective. The last home game is Sunday, October 18th against Loudoun United. At a relatively early 4:00pm. I specifically asked Jay Heaps about playing that one at Dunnavant Valley: “There’s a good chance, yeah. I think especially it’d be a nice afternoon. Kind of to do a day game would be awesome.” Stay tuned on that one.
