On the back of a devastating week for their postseason hopes, Birmingham Legion traveled to Texas to take on San Antonio FC.

While the defensive showing was much improved from previous outings, the Three Sparks lacked the final touch in key areas to get a goal of their own. With a 0-0 draw, the Black and Gold return to the Magic City with their first away clean sheet of the season but only one point when they vitally needed three.

When lineups were announced, the biggest news for Birmingham was the return to the XI for captain Tyler Pasher, as well as a move to centerback for Stephen Turnbull, previously used at wing-back.

In a very physical affair, the early exchanges were notable for their injuries rather than any goalmouth action. SAFC were forced into an early change just seven minutes into the contest, and another injury break for the hosts interrupted proceedings just six minutes later.

Despite these woes, San Antonio got the first big chance in the 20th minute, cannoning a shot off the post. Legion responded two minutes later as Peter-Lee Vassell attempted a pile-driver from distance that required a good save from SAFC’s Richard Sánchez.

Fernando Delgado had to produce the same barely a minute later as San Antonio took their turn to try their luck from distance. The 19-year-old goalkeeper was called into action again on the half-hour mark to catch a shot from the edge of the box.

The young shotstopper then showed he’s also quick on his feet in the seventh of 10 first-half stoppage time minutes. A poor back-pass turned into a perfect through ball for SAFC, but Delgado raced out of his box to slide tackle the ball away from danger.

Briggs made two changes at the half, both likely for fitness reasons as recent injury-returnees Pasher and Dawson McCartney made way for Preston Tabort Etaka and Enzo Martínez. Despite the fresh legs, the Three Sparks came out of the break looking flat, but were thankfully not made to pay.

Though the hosts threatened a couple of times, the game did not truly come to life again until the final 10 minutes.

Birmingham Legion had a perfect counter-attacking opportunity killed by Preston Tabort Etaka in the 83rd minute when the Cameroonian cut inside and lost the ball rather than playing it off to a teammate. Six minutes later, it was his turn to be frustrated as Sebastian Tregarthen, on 15 minutes prior, underhit a through ball that should have sent Tabort Etaka through on goal for a one-on-one with the keeper.

Between the two chances, San Antonio had the biggest opportunity of the night.

In the 88th minute, SAFC raced forward on the counter and put a low cross into the box. Delgado tipped it away from an onrushing attacker, only to send it straight to the feet of another. Turnbull made the recovery run however to get a crucial block on his goal-line from a point-blank Kyle Linhares shot.

In the end, a draw was perhaps a fair result, though neither side really benefitted from the point. Birmingham Legion remain adrift of their Eastern Conference rivals in 11th and still haven’t won a league game since July 11.

The Three Sparks will get another crack at it with a quick turnaround before their next game, returning home to host the very team that last win came against this Wednesday.

Birmingham Legion welcome North Carolina FC to Protective Stadium at 7 p.m. Wednesday October 1.

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