University of Alabama at Birmingham
UAB orthopaedic physicians serve as team doctors for the Birmingham Legion. From left: Amit Momaya, M.D., Michael Johnson, M.D., Stephen Gould, M.D. and Kennieth McCollough, M.D. School of Medicine sports medicine professionals serve as team physicians for Birmingham Legion FC, a member of the USL Championship, a division of the United Soccer League – the largest professional soccer organization in North America.
The team of UAB physicians attend all Legion FC home games, played at BBVA Compass Soccer Field on the UAB campus. In addition to game day duties, Legion FC players are seen at UAB sports medicine clinics for lingering issues or follow-up care.
“We have a team from the UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Family and Community Medicine to see to the Legion’s needs,” said Amit Momaya, M.D., a UAB orthopaedic surgeon.
“Working in conjunction with Legion trainer Maggie Campanaro, we can provide immediate care during a game as well as comprehensive medical services as needed by the athletes throughout the season.”
Momaya says the kinds of injuries most likely to affect soccer players are ankle sprains, contusions and hamstring injuries. More serious injuries, which have so far been avoided by the team, would include tears of the anterior cruciate ligament or the meniscus, along with shoulder injuries such as a dislocation.
| “It’s exciting to be part of professional soccer in Birmingham and to have a role in the success of the Legion. UAB and the surrounding area have embraced the Legion, and we are doing everything we can to keep the players healthy and on the field.” |
The UAB team includes three orthopaedic surgeons, Momaya, Michael Johnson, M.D., and Stephen Gould, M.D. Two other non-operative sports medicine physicians, Sara Gould, M.D., and Kennieth McCollough Jr., M.D., along with Irfan Asif, M.D., a sports medicine physician who is the chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, round out the team.
“We are honored to be able to lend our skills and expertise to these elite athletes, so that we can help them continue to perform at the highest level,” Momaya said. “It’s exciting to be part of professional soccer in Birmingham and to have a role in the success of the Legion. UAB and the surrounding area have embraced the Legion, and we are doing everything we can to keep the players healthy and on the field.”
The USL Championship is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, with 36 clubs representing the United States and Canada. In total, the USL reaches a population of 75 million people, fueling the growth of professional soccer across North America.
UAB Orthopaedics offers a sports medicine clinic at UAB Highlands Hospital for athletes at all levels and weekend warriors. The clinic is staffed by physicians and other medical professionals trained in sports medicine.
The clinic provides a broad range of care including non-surgical evaluation to surgical management of complex injuries. Facilitated by in-house physical therapists, certified athletic trainers and a certified pedorthist, athletes are treated in a comprehensive fashion, with the goal of allowing them to return safely and as soon as possible to activity. Further, in-clinic access to radiology and ultrasound broadens the capabilities for athlete care. With the backing of resources from both UAB and Children’s Hospital, the clinic provides state-of-the-art care, continually evolving through ongoing research. Appointments can be made at 205-930-8339.
Information on Birmingham Legion FC — including advance ticket sales and merchandise — can be accessed online here at BHMLegion.com. Download the Legion FC app or follow the Legion on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (@BHMLegion) for more information.
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