In the club’s inaugural PDL season in 2018, the Birmingham Hammers hope to lay a foundation for success that the organization can carry over to the USL in 2019 as the Legion.

Joining the all-new Deep South division, the Hammers will receive some strong competition right of the bat as they’ll be taking on long-time PDL success story Mississippi Brilla FC as well as recently-announced Division III founding member South Georgia Tormenta FC. While looking forward to the competition and hoping to field a competitive squad, the Hammers hope to gain valuable experience in the PDL to help their professional launch.

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During his preparation for both the Hammers’ PDL campaign and the upcoming launch of the Legion, Vice President Morgan T. Copes discussed with USLPDL.com the USL Winter Summit, his hopes for the 2018 campaign and looks forward to 2019.

Morgan T. Copes

Birmingham Legion FC Vice President

PDL: What factors led you to seek PDL membership in 2018?

Morgan T. Copes: We saw the success that Nashville SC had last year and we knew we did not want to have a break in play until we got to our first professional season as Birmingham Legion FC.

PDL: Birmingham will also be joining the USL in 2019. How does playing in the PDL help prepare the organization for competing at the Division II level?

MTC: I think one of the things we will greatly benefit from is the opportunity to work as a front office team on game days. Come March of 2019, we will have had 7 events together where we can hopefully work out some of the kinks.

PDL: How was your first experience at the USL Winter Summit?

MTC: It was incredible. The wealth of knowledge and willingness of other clubs to share ideas was a breath of fresh air. I wish I could have been in every meeting because for everything I learned I probably missed out on just as much.

PDL: What are you most looking forward to in your first PDL season?

MTC: I am really looking forward to seeing the Hammers play one final season and having the opportunity to begin preparations for 2019.

PDL: You join the PDL as a founding member of the all-new Deep South Division, competing alongside future Division III Founder South Georgia Tormenta FC and a strong organization in Mississippi Brilla FC. How do you feel about the level of competition you’ll be facing in 2018?

MTC: We know we certainly have our work cut out for us. Mississippi Brilla FC has been around for decades and has always put a strong team out there. This will be the first time we have any interaction with Tormenta FC. We are excited about the challenges ahead of us this summer.

PDL: What are some goals you’d like to achieve as a club in 2018?

MTC: We’d like to put together a solid team and create an environment that will give fans just a taste of what is to come in 2019.