How to watch today's North Carolina vs Birmingham Legion USL Championship game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

North Carolina FC host Birmingham Legion FC at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday in a USL Championship clash with both teams seeking to solidify their playoff ambitions.

North Carolina enter as favorites, sitting in the top six of the Eastern Conference, while Birmingham are fighting to climb out of the lower reaches of the table.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

How to watch North Carolina FC vs Birmingham Legion FC online - TV channels & live streams

ESPN+

Watch here

The match will be shown live on ESPN+ in the US. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.

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If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.

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North Carolina FC vs Birmingham Legion FC kick-off time

USL Championship - USL Championship

The match will be played at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, with kick-off at 7.30pm ET for fans in the US.

Team news & squads

North Carolina FC vs Birmingham Legion FC lineups

North Carolina FC

3-4-2-1

Formation

5-4-1

BHM

1

J. McGuire

66

F. Sundstrom

5

P. Craig

27

B. Washington

17

C. Martin

8

P. Dolabella

15

M. Maldonado

19

A. Al-Qaq

14

R. Mentzingen

11

P. Burner

9

O. Anderson

57

F. Delgado

2

S. Turnbull

20

A. Paterson

33

M. Mensah

43

S. Suarez

13

J. Rufe

19

E. Martinez

7

D. Trejo

15

T. Pasher

17

E. Laszo

9

R. Damus

5-4-1

BHM

NC

-Line up

• 1

  J. McGuire

• 66

  F. Sundstrom

• 5

  P. Craig

  85’

• 27

  B. Washington

• 17

  C. Martin

  57’

  70’

• 8

  P. Dolabella

  40’

  79’

• 15

  M. Maldonado

• 19

  A. Al-Qaq

  70’

• 14

  R. Mentzingen

  40’

  90’ + 7’

• 11

  P. Burner

• 9

  O. Anderson

  79’

Substitutes

• 44

  R. Sommersall

• 24

  T. Mulqueen

• 26

  A. Luckhurst

  79’

• 16

  R. Da Costa

  79’

• 13

  L. Perez

  70’

• 10

  J. Servania

  90’ + 7’

• 7

  E. Conway

  70’

  90’ + 3’

  90’ + 9’

• 20

  C. Donovan

Manager

• J. Bradford

BHM

-Line up

• 57

  F. Delgado

• 2

  S. Turnbull

  4’

  80’

• 20

  A. Paterson

  80’

• 33

  M. Mensah

• 43

  S. Suarez

• 13

  J. Rufe

  50’

• 19

  E. Martinez

  45’

  47’

  90’ + 8’

• 7

  D. Trejo

  56’, 63’

  86’

• 15

  T. Pasher

  56’

• 17

  E. Laszo

• 9

  R. Damus

  45’

  63’

  87’

Substitutes

• 8

  K. Hernandez-Foster

• 1

  M. Van Oekel

• 27

  E. Centeno

  80’

• 6

  S. McIllhatton

  80’

• 25

  R. Torres

  90’ + 8’

• 10

  T. Preston

  87’

• 21

  S. Tregarthen

  86’

Manager

• M. Briggs

North Carolina FC team news

North Carolina FC come into this fixture after a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Charleston Battery, a result that saw them drop to 7 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, but they remain in the playoff positions. The loss marked only the second time this season that NCFC have been held scoreless. Despite limited possession in Charleston, North Carolina created several chances and have generally been efficient with their opportunities.

At home, North Carolina have been formidable, unbeaten at halftime in their last 13 home games and undefeated in 20 of their last 23 home USL Championship matches. They have also won their last four home league games, consistently scoring at least one goal per match in that stretch. Mikey Maldonado has been a key creative force, ranking among the league leaders in assists and chances created. The squad is largely healthy, with no new major injury concerns reported.

Birmingham Legion FC team news

Birmingham Legion FC have struggled for consistency, sitting 10th in the table and averaging just one goal per game. They are currently on a three-game winless streak.

Veteran goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel recently earned his 50th career USL Championship clean sheet and was named to the league’s Team of the Week for his performance against Charleston.

Defender Stephen Turnbull also received league honors after assisting a goal and leading the team in duels won in a recent match. The team’s attack is led by Ronaldo Damus, who has five goals this year, while Tabort Etaka Preston and Kobe Hernandez-Foster provide additional threat and creativity.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

NC

Last 5 matches

BHM

3

Wins

1

Draw

1

Win

• Birmingham Legion FC

  2

  -

  3

  North Carolina FC

• North Carolina FC

  1

  -

  1

  Birmingham Legion FC

• Birmingham Legion FC

  1

  -

  2

  North Carolina FC

• Birmingham Legion FC

  1

  -

  2

  North Carolina FC

• North Carolina FC

  0

  -

  2

  Birmingham Legion FC

8

Goals scored

7

Games over 2.5 goals

3/5

Both teams scored

4/5

Standings

Useful links

• Latest betting updates
• USL Championship news
• Birmingham team page
• North Carolina FC team page
• Soccer on TV in the US
• How to watch & live stream soccer