Birmingham Legion FC moved into the United Soccer League playoff conversation with a 1-0 victory over visiting Charlotte Independence tonight at BBVA Field.

The match was an entertaining one for the 4,433 fans in attendance, with Birmingham showcasing its energy and capability to create frequent scoring opportunities and to limit the visiting team on defense.

Birmingham has now won three straight games -- all at home and all shutouts.

JJ Williams scored the game’s only goal with a dramatic kick from outside the box that soared over the head of Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller and dropped into the back of the net in the 27th minute. The goal was Williams’ third of the season and highlighted a night that saw him have five total shots and four on target, including three in the span of 13 minutes in the second half.

“We’re not just getting lucky, we’re playing good football,” Williams said. “Last time Charlotte battered us, so it was good to see this from the team.

"It’s very exciting. It’s one of those things to where if I can just make a difference to this team and find the chemistry with them, we’re getting results.”

Birmingham’s win comes at a pivotal juncture in the USL season, as teams volley for playoff positions.

Legion FC entered the game on a two-game winning streak and the win moves the team closer to the 10th-place playoff threshold in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte, which had not been beaten since June 2, held that spot before Saturday’s game in the Magic City.

Williams’ goal was one of a plethora of opportunities for Legion FC throughout the evening. Early chances came between the 23rd and 33rd minutes, including an attempt on target by Brian Wright and another by Prosper Kasim.

Williams led the stat sheet on Saturday night, but newcomer Anderson Asiedu (who got his first start for Legion FC at the midfielder position) was a crowd favorite who made his presence known with aggressive play. Fellow midfielder Daniel Johnson was also noteworthy, with 65 touches, 47 passes and a miss on the goal in the 33rd minute.

“There were some tough moments in the game tonight and to see the resiliency of our defenders means the world. That’s how you win games,” Legion FC coach Tom Soehn said. “The growth of the team through the month of July has been. massive. ow we have to learn how to do it on the road. We had to have this stretch to at least talk about the playoffs. Now we play two teams that are on the top of the table.”

Birmingham held Charlotte, one of the hottest teams in the USL with five straight wins or draws and 26 goals on the season, to just three shots in the first half and just two shots on target in the entire game.

That one shot on target came from Dominic Oduro, who came into the match with six goals on the season; he and team leader Enzo Martinez, who entered the night leading the team in assists, shots and chances created, were limited by Legion FC’s defense. Martinez had just one shot and one chance on the night.

Charlotte did make a run in the second half to equalize the game, and had three chances combined in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Two came in the same sequence, as Legion FC goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel blocked a shot in the 63rd and then a second sailed over the goal.

A final opportunity came in stoppage time, with five minutes added to the game, when Niki Jackson missed a shot that would have tied the game.

The defensive play for Legion FC was impressive all match, and built upon two previous shutouts in the last two victories.

Williams labeled the defensive effort as “unbelievable.”

“It’s been unbelievable from back line, just phenomenal,” he said “Some of the plays they’ve made, if they don’t make them we lose the game. May not be on every stat sheet, but that’s really good to see.”

Yellow cards were awarded to Legion FC’s Asiedu (45th minute), Mikey Lopez (89th) and Edward Opoku (in extra time); just one was given to Charlotte, to Kevin George in the 90th minute.

Behind Williams with scoring chances were Zach Herivaux, Johnson, Kasim and Brian Wright with one shot each.

The win capped a three-game winning streak for Birmingham at home in July. The team now goes on the road for matches on Aug. 2 and Aug. 10 against Ottawa Fury FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, respectively. Both teams beat Legion FC in the first half of the season.