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Timothy Belin

@timothybelin.bsky.social

29 followers 22 following 550 posts

Birmingham Legion beat writer | Freelance Sports Writer | Soccer enthusiast https://linktr.ee/timothybelin

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Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · Jun 11

Very excited to share something I’ve been working on for quite some time.

I spoke with people familiar with Mark Briggs’ journey dating all the way back to his playing days for a detailed profile on Legion’s new head coach.

bhamsports.net/2025/06/11/m...

Mark Briggs: connected to success - Birmingham Sports Media

Profile of Mark Briggs, from his start in the West Bromwich Albion academy all the way to his latest coaching job in Birmingham, Alabama.

bhamsports.net

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Reposted by Timothy Belin

John Morrissey @usltactics.com · 18h

North Carolina is going on hiatus with the loose promise of a D1 return, a decision with huge ramifications for the rest of the USL.

I break down the difficult financial future for the USL's clubs and why the league's upcoming reforms might be make-or-break.

www.backheeled.com/north-caroli...

North Carolina FC’s hiatus exposes the cracks beneath the USL’s expressed ambition

While USL arms itself for a push towards creating a top men’s league and adding promotion and relegation, it’s clear more work is needed.

www.backheeled.com

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Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 5d

With the season officially over for Birmingham Legion, it’s time to take a look at the roster and decide who deserves to return in 2026.

Welcome to @BirminghamSport’s Roster Review of the Three Sparks ⬇️

bhamsports.net/2025/10/30/b...

Birmingham Legion 2025: Roster Review - Birmingham Sports Media

With the season officially over for Birmingham Legion, it's time to take a look at the roster and decide who should return in 2026.

bhamsports.net

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 14d

You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?

Time for one final Tuesday Talking Points, looking at Edwin Laszo at CB, Samuel Shashoua and Amir Daley’s performances and future, Mark Briggs’ sideline presence and Ramiz Hamouda’s World Cup dream.

open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

More experimentation, loanee futures, Briggs' sideline presence and Hamouda's World Cup dream

My Birmingham Legion talking points following Sunday's USL Championship defeat to Miami FC

open.substack.com

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Individual errors, a lack of ruthlessness and poor officiating: a fitting home finale to Birmingham Legion’s 2025 season.

My recap for @BirminghamSport ⬇️

bhamsports.net/2025/10/19/l...

Legion fail to make advantage pay in home finale - Birmingham Sports Media

Despite playing over an hour with a numerical advantage, Birmingham Legion could not defeat Miami FC in their final home game of the season.

bhamsports.net

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

FINAL: Legion 2-3 Miami

Despite spending 70 minutes with a man-advantage, the Three Sparks fall to Miami and are now level on points with the bottom team in the league.

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

66’ GOAL LEGION

Ronaldo Damus with his 14th of the season, getting on the end of a driven cross by Amir Daley.

2-3

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

60’ Dawson McCartney curls one just wide for his final action of the game. He is replaced by Enzo Martínez, while Tyler Pasher is also on for Peter-Lee Vassell.

1-3

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Second half underway with one substitution for Birmingham.

Edwin Laszo is off, with Jackson Travis in his place. Dawson McCartney has moved to a central role.

1-3

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

I’ve written about how it’s time to move on from him, but I’d like to see Enzo Martínez early in the second half.

Laszo + three centerbacks is overkill with the extra man, and Martínez is great at drifting into space, which there should be plenty of with the numerical advantage.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Halftime: Legion 1-3 Miami

Despite being a man up, Birmingham find themselves two goals down.

That’s not to say they haven’t shown some exciting stuff, with Peter-Lee Vassell and Samuel Shashoua in particular putting on a show for the final home game of the season.

#BHMvMIA

Reposted by Timothy Belin

Kaylor Hodges - Hammering Down @kaylorhodges.bsky.social · 16d

I wish literally ANYBODY believed in me like Briggs believes in Edwin Laszo.

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Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Edwin Laszo is back in midfield now after two giveaways led to two goals.

Ramiz Hamouda now as the central centerback.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

38’ Goal Miami

The 10-men show they’re not going down without a fight, sitting MVO down after getting first to a crossbar rebound.

Edwin Laszo once again at fault to turn the ball over right outside the box.

1-3

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

23’ RED CARD MIAMI GOALKEEPER

This game is mad! Peter-Lee Vassell gets to the ball ahead of the onrushing keeper, who can only kick the Legion man to the floor.

Birmingham will be against 10 men for 70 minutes and have a free-kick in nearly the same spot as the last.

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

22’ Goal Miami

Visitors back ahead with a headed goal of their own, flicked into the net at the front post after a wide set-piece.

Might get a high scoring game here with nothing on the line.

1-2

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

15’ GOAL LEGION

Beautifully worked free-kick as Peter-Lee Vassell rolls it back to AJ Paterson, and the defender drives it in low for his second goal in as many games.

1-1

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

While the 3-5-2 with Vassell at support striker was the correct prediction, there is a positional experiment going on.

Ramiz Hamouda is currently lined up in midfield, while Edwin Laszo is the center most centerback.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

For the final time of 2025, we are underway at Protective Stadium.

Birmingham Legion vs Miami FC in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

#BHMvMIA

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Enzo Martínez is also on the bench thanks to the USL’s rule on youth players in the squad. Ramiz Hamouda’s inclusion in the starting XI allows the team to name an extra player to their bench.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Subs: McMullen, Rufe, Centeno, Travis, Tabort Etaka, Pasher, Saucedo.

Sebastián Saucedo makes the bench following his injury absence.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

Birmingham Legion lineup (3-5-2): Van Oekel; Turnbull, Paterson, Hamouda, Daley, Shashoua, McIllhatton, Laszo, McCartney; Vassell, Damus.

Samuel Shashoua returns from
injury, while Ramiz Hamouda gets a final appearance before departing for the U17 World Cup.

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 16d

For the final time this year, it’s matchday in the Magic City.

Birmingham Legion host Miami FC at 4 p.m. at Protective Stadium to close out their 2025 home schedule.

bhamsports.net/2025/10/19/l...

Legion close out home season with Miami - Birmingham Sports Media

For the final time this season, it’s matchday in the Magic City. Birmingham Legion host Miami FC at 4 p.m. to round out their home schedule. The Three Sparks will have one more game on the road next w...

bhamsports.net

Reposted by Timothy Belin

Nicholas Murray @njemurray.bsky.social · 19d

Orange County SC's Pedro Guimaraes and @bhmlegion.bsky.social's Ramiz Hamouda have been named in the #USMNT U-17s squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. #USL-C

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

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Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 23d

Lucca Dourado scored another Forward Madison goal yesterday.

The Birmingham Legion loanee made it six goals and two assists in his 19 USL League 1 appearances.

Forward Madison FC @forwardmadisonfc.bsky.social · 24d

GOAL-DEN BOY WILL NOT BE DENIED

🦩1-0🐺 | MADvCHA
#fmfc #goMAD #goal

Timothy Belin @timothybelin.bsky.social · 28d

Birmingham Legion are out of the playoff race as of Sunday, and yet their last three performances had some real positives to them.

I dive into the Three Sparks’s three games in eight days for my latest talking points, available on my Substack.

open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...

Trying new things, defensive solidity, varied approaches and the balancing act

My Birmingham Legion talking points following three USL Championship games in eight days against San Antonio FC, North Carolina FC and Loudoun United

open.substack.com