TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced on Thursday that the Week 1 contest between Birmingham Legion FC and Bethlehem Steel FC had been rescheduled to Sunday, March 10 at 5 p.m. ET at BBVA Compass Field due to the threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Birmingham, Ala. area throughout Saturday.

“The safety of our fans and players are of paramount concern,” said Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “Given tragic recent events, this is not a decision we take lightly and have factored information from the National Weather Service and local authorities. We remain anxious for the start of our inaugural season and look forward to Sunday.”

The contest will serve as the inaugural game in Legion FC’s history as it joins the Championship this season, with Steel FC serving as the visitor after reaching the USL Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The game is expected to be a sellout of more than 5,000 fans at the club’s newly-renovated venue.