Two of Birmingham Legion’s most capped players have officially departed the club following the end of the 2025 season.

Enzo Martínez and Jake Rufe will both take their talents to new clubs next season following “conversations between the players and the club regarding their futures and the club’s plans for 2026,” according to a Legion press release. The two players were fifth and sixth on the Three Sparks’ all-time appearance list, with Martínez at 148 and Rufe at 134.

Enzo Martínez

At 35, Enzo Martínez’ departure is not unexpected. The Uruguayan, who joined Birmingham in 2022, started to show signs of his age this past season while also appearing a questionable fit for Mark Briggs’ system. Despite this, he still played in all but one Legion game this season (35 appearances), notching three goals and three assists.

Martínez departs the club as its assist leader (27), second-highest goal scorer (36, Neco Brett has 39), third-oldest player and starter (35 years and 26 days and 35 years and five days, respectively) and oldest goalscorer (34 years, 7 months and 4 days against Hartford Athletic).

“To the fans, thank you for your passion, your energy, and your belief,” Martínez is quoted as saying in Legion’s press release. “Playing for you has been an honor I will carry with me forever. I hope I gave you moments to be proud of, and I’ll always be grateful for every cheer, every handshake, every conversation, and every person I’ve met.

“Birmingham will always be a part of me. My family and I will never forget the memories we made here, and I will always hold this city close to my heart,” he added.

Jake Rufe

Despite making fewer appearances, Huntsville-native Jake Rufe had been at the club even longer than his South American teammate.

Rufe joined the Legion in 2020 as his first professional club following a collegiate career at Western Michigan University. He quickly established himself as a valuable player for the team through his versatility, with the ability to play anywhere across a back four as well as in midfield.

This season, Rufe scored the first goal of the Three Sparks’ campaign with a third-minute opener against Loudoun United. He doubled his season tally with a late equalizer at Tulsa later in the year, making it more goals in 2025 than in his previous five years at the club.

For much of the season, Rufe was a lock in the team, appearing in 22 of the first 23 games of the season, receiving a rest only for the Black and Gold’s US Open Cup game. However, much to many’s surprise, he fell out of favor following the arrival of Maliek Howell and never really got back in the team, despite Briggs admitting he may have “been harsh on him.”

Rufe was never the flashiest of players, but proved himself one of the team’s most reliable performers throughout the years. This season alone, he lined up at both fullback spots and at centerback, while also becoming a midfield sub late in the season, and delivered consistently good performances. His versatility and solidity made him an invaluable player to the team, and his departure marks the club’s first real roster mistake this offseason in my opinion.

Roster update

With 14 departures confirmed and no new arrivals announced as of yet, Birmingham Legion currently has 16 players who could still return to the Magic City in 2026.

According to the club, it “remains in active discussions with several out-of-contract players as it shapes the roster for 2026.”

The list is as follows:

• Matt van Oekel
• Phanuel Kavita
• Ramiz Hamouda
• Sam McIllhatton
• Ronaldo Damus
• Dawson McCartney
• Trevor McMullen
• Samuel Shashoua
• Tyler Pasher
• Peter-Lee Vassell
• AJ Paterson
• Sebastian Tregarthen
• Sebastián Saucedo
• Amir Daley
• Temi Ereku
• Fernando Delgado

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