Birmingham Legion FC (7-5-10) continued its winning ways Saturday night by earning a 1-0 road victory over league-leading Tampa Bay (13-7-3).

The win over the United Soccer League Eastern Conference leader was Birmingham’s fifth straight shutout and improved the team’s quest to make the playoffs. Tampa Bay had fallen just twice all year and only once at home, a 3-1 loss to North Carolina on June 8, before tonight.

Edward Opoku scored the winning goal in the 49th minute while Birmingham’s defense held Tampa Bay’s prolific scoring offense to no goals despite the Rowdies having 16 shots and six on target.

Opoku was the player of the match; his goal was an impressive one from the far side and built upon earlier opportunities he had, including a near-miss in just the 8th minute.

GOOOAAALLLLL @edward_opoku!!!!



He's been knocking on the door all game long and rifles in a nasty finish from a tight angle.



TBR 0 - BHM 1#TBRvBHM pic.twitter.com/VeMSwQtwk9 — Birmingham Legion FC (@bhmlegion) August 11, 2019

AGAIN @edward_opoku proving to be a dangerous man. Keep' comes up big.#TBRvBHM pic.twitter.com/h4uG3fo4Ah — Birmingham Legion FC (@bhmlegion) August 11, 2019

Legion FC finished the game with eight shots on target and 15 total. The squad was aggressive all night, with 13 fouls and three yellow cards.

While the offense made the difference on the scoreboard, Birmingham’s defensive was just as vital to the team’s success.

Tampa Bay came into the game as the league leader with 46 points and league-leading scorer Lucky Mkosana with 12 goals and two more players with seven goals each.

Legion FC goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel kept the Rowdies out of the goal with several impressive saves.

The win continued Birmingham’s impressive streak over the last month.

The team hasn’t lost since June 29, won three straight games at home in July and played to a scoreless draw last week on the road against the Ottawa Fury. The team has the longest-active shutout streak in the USL.

Birmingham comes home next Saturday for a match at BBVA Field against Memphis 901 FC.