The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Soccer is Back: Blazers in the Pros
7/16/2020 2:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BIRMINGHAM – Men's professional soccer came back this week as both the MLS and USL returned to action for the first time since March. Two former UAB men's soccer standouts Dejan Jakovic and Mathieu Laurent suited up for their clubs.
LAFC- 3, Houston Dynamo- 3
On Monday night, Jakovic and LAFC took the field in Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament. The 2019 Supporters' Shield champions took on the Houston Dynamo to open Group F play. Despite falling behind 3-1 at the half, LAFC was able to spark a second half comeback to force a 3-3 draw and pick up one point.
Jakovic recorded one shot in the game, a header at the 13-minute mark. He played all 90 minutes in the backline for LAFC.
The former Blazer achieved a career milestone when he passed 10,000 minutes played in his MLS career. Jakovic is in his second stint in the MLS and his eighth overall season in the league. His MLS career began in 2009 as a member of DC United where he started 23 games his rookie season. He has appeared in 119 total regular season games with 112 starts.
Jakovic, a UAB defender from 2005-07, was a two-time NSCAA All-Region and three-time All-Conference USA selection.
LAFC returns to action against cross-town rival LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 18 at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Birmingham Legion FC- 3, Memphis 901 FC- 0
Soccer returned to BBVA Field in Birmingham Wednesday night as Memphis 901 FC came to town to take on Birmingham Legion FC. The match was the first of 16 over the next 13 weeks for the Legion. The hometown team came out firing, scoring three goals in the first half to take a 3-0 lead, which they would hold the rest of the game.
Laurent did not see any action in Wednesday night's game, but the Legion have a quick turnaround as they travel to Charleston, S.C. to face the Charleston Battery Sunday night.
Laurent appeared in 25 games in 2019 making 24 starts in his first season with the Legion FC. The defender scored two goals on seven shots while recording 117 clearances, 20 blocks and 32 interceptions.
The Ontario native played for the Blazers from 2014-18 where he was a three-time All-Conference USA performer.
UAB Men's soccer season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow @UAB_MSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
LAFC- 3, Houston Dynamo- 3
On Monday night, Jakovic and LAFC took the field in Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament. The 2019 Supporters' Shield champions took on the Houston Dynamo to open Group F play. Despite falling behind 3-1 at the half, LAFC was able to spark a second half comeback to force a 3-3 draw and pick up one point.
Jakovic recorded one shot in the game, a header at the 13-minute mark. He played all 90 minutes in the backline for LAFC.
The former Blazer achieved a career milestone when he passed 10,000 minutes played in his MLS career. Jakovic is in his second stint in the MLS and his eighth overall season in the league. His MLS career began in 2009 as a member of DC United where he started 23 games his rookie season. He has appeared in 119 total regular season games with 112 starts.
Jakovic, a UAB defender from 2005-07, was a two-time NSCAA All-Region and three-time All-Conference USA selection.
LAFC returns to action against cross-town rival LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 18 at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Birmingham Legion FC- 3, Memphis 901 FC- 0
Soccer returned to BBVA Field in Birmingham Wednesday night as Memphis 901 FC came to town to take on Birmingham Legion FC. The match was the first of 16 over the next 13 weeks for the Legion. The hometown team came out firing, scoring three goals in the first half to take a 3-0 lead, which they would hold the rest of the game.
Laurent did not see any action in Wednesday night's game, but the Legion have a quick turnaround as they travel to Charleston, S.C. to face the Charleston Battery Sunday night.
Laurent appeared in 25 games in 2019 making 24 starts in his first season with the Legion FC. The defender scored two goals on seven shots while recording 117 clearances, 20 blocks and 32 interceptions.
The Ontario native played for the Blazers from 2014-18 where he was a three-time All-Conference USA performer.
UAB Men's soccer season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow @UAB_MSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
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