Birmingham Legion twice led their hosts in Virginia but could not come away with more than a point after a 2-2 draw with Loudoun United.
The Three Sparks returned from their bye week looking for their first win of the season against an equally winless Loudoun side. Keegan Hughes made his first start for the Black and Gold after joining on loan just a day before, while Peter-Lee Vassell got his first start of the season at right wing.
The latter made an early impact with an assist as Legion got off to a fast start. After defending a corner in the 15th minute, the Three Sparks broke forward on the counter. Samuel Shashoua sent a beautiful cross-field ball into the path of Vassell, who laid it off for Tyler Pasher to finish.
With the opener in the 16th minute, the Canadian notched his 40th regular season USL Championship goal.
Though Loudoun held a lot of the possession, Birmingham showed plenty of threat in transition. Romario Williams could have made it 2-0 in the 23rd, but the Jamaican forward whiffed his shot.
Eight minutes later, Loudoun levelled the tie. A left-sided corner was not dealt with by the Legion defense, and after pinballing against a couple of legs fell for James Murphy to prod home.
Birmingham’s best chance to restore their lead came four minutes later as Shashoua flashed a free-kick over the bar, but the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
In search for a go-ahead goal, Jay Heaps opted to make two changes at the break. Sebastian Tregarthen came in for Vassell on the right wing, while Dawson McCartney replaced Ramiz Hamouda, who had been lined up at left back.
It was a near immediate impact for the Uruguayan winger as he neatly brought down a Shashoua ball over the top in the penalty area just three minutes into the period. Unfortunately for Tregarthen, his shot whistled just wide of the far post.
Shashoua had another great shot at an assist four minutes later, threading through Gevork Diarbian. The winger’s shot was well-saved by Loudoun’s Adam Beaudry in goal, and the rebound was cleared.
Legion did not have to wait much longer to go back ahead, however. Williams smartly won the ball in midfield and raced down the right wing. He then curved a perfect low cross into Pasher’s path, who needed just one touch to settle it before side-footing it into the bottom corner.
Loudoun nearly had an immediate response, but a last-ditch tackle by Amir Daley blocked a dangerous shot just outside the box in the 57th minute.
Both teams continued to exchange opportunities over the next 20 minutes, but neither goalkeeper had to make any saves of note. But in the 78th minute, the referee awarded Loudoun a lifeline with a dubious penalty.
Daley was penalised for pushing Ascel Essengue over in the box, but the contact was so minimal and soft that the Loudoun players did not even seem to appeal for the foul. After the hosts had turned away, believing the ball to have gone out for a goal kick, the referee pointed to the spot.
Two weeks ago, Charleston Battery made it 2-2 from the spot in the 80th minute. In near identical fashion, Loudoun pulled it level in the 79th.
With both teams looking for their first win of the season, neither was content to settle for a draw. Koleilat had to make an important punch in stoppage time to clear his lines, while Tregarthen had a penalty shout waved away at the other end of the pitch.
The final action came as Bryce Washington dragged Elvis Amoh down when on goal in the final minute of stoppage time. The Legion centerback was probably lucky to escape with only a yellow despite denying a goal scoring opportunity, but the ensuing free-kick still gave the hosts a chance to steal all three points. But with the last kick of the game, Thorleifur Úlfarsson’s effort sailed just over the bar.
On the overall balance of play, a draw was probably a fair result. Birmingham players and fans will however likely feel cheated by the soft penalty call against them, especially when compared with the no-call at the other end on Tregarthen. Regardless, the Three Sparks will have to pick themselves up and go again as they seek their first win of 2026.
Birmingham Legion return home for their next matchup. The Black and Gold welcome the reigning USL Championship champions, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, to Protective Stadium at 4 p.m. April 12.
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