BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Montgomery United took a second half lead with Aidan Riley breaking free in the 54th minute, but Birmingham Legion II scored a couple of follow-up goals including a 90th minute header to hand the Storm a late loss at Protective Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Montgomery had a couple of good chances early on the counter attack featuring a dangerous dribble by Nate Grant in the 8th minute and Riley breaking for good look off a through ball that just missed. Will Blake came up big when called upon in the first half with a clutch save in the 13th minute before stopping a point blank chance at the expiration of the first half.

The first half started with a bang as Dan Ivanov collected the ball and played Riley through who ran down the right flank before slotting in the opener and his second goal in as many matches in the 54th minute in his hometown.

The lead was short lived though as Matthew Van Horn, the 58th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft this season, scored from an insane sliding shot that went bar down to level in the 65th minute.

The match got chippy under the midafternoon Alabama summer, but a late corner allowed a chance for Legion II where John Heaps, the son of Birmingham Legion President and General Manager and former US International Jay Heaps, rose above everyone else and scored the winner.

“I think there were some massive positives,” Head Coach Tate Dean. “I love the commitment and the work of these lads. When a season's tough, you know, how many people can handle the pressure and how many people can fight like they did tonight? Again, we had a youthful squad like we said earlier and we had young players that started and came on the game that again didn't drop the level, which is massive for us. I think we had 11 players at all times working unbelievably hard for the team. And again, we're just on the wrong side of it, you know. I think every game, you, a goal, a decision goes our way, we can be on the other end of it, and that's the story of our season.”

The youth impressed, especially in an environment that may be overwhelming to some with the grandeur of the stadium. “I said to the lads before the game, how many times are you gonna get to be able to play in a USL championship game or an MLS stadium? It's a top, top tier stadium," Dean said. "This can hold a lot of fans when they have football games. I said to the boys, go and try to win a game but go and enjoy the experience. And I think our boys did it. I don't think they were scared of the challenge, or scared of the fight and again, I was impressed with the lads, and sometimes when you come to facilities like they, you may be a little scared, but not one of all players was scared tonight.”

Montgomery United falls to 1-7-2 on the season and travels to Southern Soccer Academy Monday night in a rescheduled contest. Kickoff is set for 6:30 central.