Birmingham Legion FC coach Tom Soehn experienced the disappointment alongside fans as the new United Soccer League expansion team lost its two opening matches, both at home.

Soehn said, though, there’s excitement and anticipation about the future as the team continues to grow and put new players in place.

The Legion lost its franchise opener 2-0 to Bethlehem Steel FC and then followed that match with a 1-0 loss to Ottawa Fury FC at BBVA Compass Field.

The team’s still looking for its first goal, and Soehn said he knows the fan base is eagerly expecting it, too.

“We’re hungry to give (the fans) something,” he said. “The players have stuck together and are pushing in the right direction. I know that once we break through, it will be hard to slow them down.”

“In this game, it’s not where you start,” he said. “It’s where you finish, as it gets closer to the playoffs.”

Soehn said the first two matches were challenging for his team for different reasons.

The first loss saw Birmingham lead on the stat line throughout the first half only to be outlasted by the Steel with two shots in the 53rd and 67th minutes.

The second game was almost the exact opposite, as Legion FC got just one shot off in the first half but then battled back with 11 second-half shots.

“In the first match, I was pleased with the overall performance, but the ending of the game showed a lack of fitness as we ran out of gas,” Soehn said. “In the second game, I was disappointed in our start but pleased with how we improved. We had so many opportunities in the second half, but we didn’t finish. We felt like we should have won that one.”

“We have to be better on scoring goals," he added. "We’re giving a lot away and not taking advantage of our opportunities,. We need to get our mentality right. When we get it, can we score a goal?”

Following the two losses, the team has refocused its energy and effort on both training and strategy during last week’s rare off week in the USL schedule.

After its bye week, the team will face a brand new challenge, its first road game, and against the USL’s defending champion Louisville City FC on Saturday.

“We’ve spent a few day off to clear the mind, then came back to work on more fitness-based stuff. Then we’ll focus more on tactical things,” Soehn said. “Then we have a great task ahead of us when we play Louisville. But it’s a welcome challenge.”

When it comes to tactical plans, Birmingham Legion FC is bolstered by the arrival of three new players.

Two of them -- loaners Brian Wright and Zach Herivaux from the MLS’s New England Revolution -- saw significant play in the loss to Ottawa. Eddie Opoku is expected to join the squad this week from the MLS’s Columbus Crew.

“Brian and Zach came in and really energized us and gave us some life,” Soehn said of the performances from the forward and midfielder. “We have more versatility with them in there. Brian is a big strong forward with speed. Zach has an engine and carries a lot of ground. Eddie will offer some really good speed and the ability to get behind the defenses.

“You can look at the group and it gives you a lot more options,” he said.

Soehn said those additions build on what’s an already-strong core group of players. The players, whether Birmingham native Chandler Hoffman, team captain Mikey Lopez, speedy midfielder Daniel Johnson, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and any of the other members of the roster, are beginning to bond and build as a team.

Those players will perform on the field, but as important will be their roles in the new Birmingham soccer community.

“They’re personable, beyond friendly, and I know that the fans will identify with them,” Soehn said.

The team will now try and regroup as Legion FC faces a Louisville team that won the USL Cup last season.

Louisville lost its season opener 4-1 to North Carolina FC, rebounded to defeat Atlanta United 2 by the score of 1-0.

Soehn said the Louisville squad is a strong, seasoned team.

“They have a great core of players, and have a really strong comfort level together,” he said. “Their pressure is very organized and they’ll force turnovers.”

The key for Legion, he said, is to eliminate the times Louisville can put them in “tough spots” and to instead do the same to them.

And while facing the defending USL champions is a tough early challenge to draw on the schedule, Soehn said that the challenge is good for a young team.

“You learn a lot about your group as you try to grow,” he said. “It’s a tough challenge, but we welcome it.”

Soehn admits that it’s taken a little longer than he thought to get the team at the right spot, but that there’s a long season ahead.

“The beginning has been a tough start, and we’re a work in progress,” he said. “But it’s not important how you start. It’s absolutely important how you grow and finish.”