2020 Memphis 901 FC season

The 2020 Memphis 901 FC season is the second season for Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship (USL-C), the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.[1] This article covers the period from November 18, 2019, the day after the 2019 USL-C Playoff Final, to the conclusion of the 2020 USL-C Playoff Final, scheduled for November 12–16, 2020.[2]

Memphis 901 FC
2020 season
Head CoachTim Mulqueen
StadiumAutoZone Park
Memphis, Tennessee
USLConference: TBD
USL PlayoffsTBD
2020 U.S. Open Cup2nd Round
Average home league attendance8,571
Biggest defeat2–4
March 7 vs. Indy Eleven

Season in review

Background, off-season and pre-season

Memphis finished their inaugural season of 2019 in 15th place among the 18-team eastern conference, five spots below the playoff positions,[3] although they did enter the final week of the regular season with a mathematical chance of making the playoffs.[4] The club announced in November that nine players, mostly starters, from the inaugural season would be retained for the 2020 campaign.[5] In January, the club announced that minority owner Tim Howard would be taking on the role of Sporting Director.[6] Beginning in mid-January, the club announced several player signings: defenders Zach Carroll[7] and Mark Segbers,[8] midfielders Rafael Mentzingen,[9] Michael Reed,[10] and Jean-Christophe Koffi,[11] UK League One-experienced winger Keanu Marsh-Brown,[12] and goalkeeper Jimmy Hague.[13] In early February, the club announced their pre-season schedule, with exhibitions scheduled against clubs from the USL Championship and League One, as well as NCAA Divisions I and III.[14]

The club began its preseason campaign by dropping a match 2–1 away to Saint Louis FC on February 8.[15] The second preseason match on February 22 produced a 3–1 win over USL League One side Forward Madison.[16] The preseason campaign was finished on February 29 with a 1–0 win against the NCCA D-I University of Memphis men's team.[17]

On March 4, in the run-up to the season opener, the club announced that minority owner and sporting director Tim Howard was coming out of retirement to play in goal.[18]

March

In their season opener in front of a record crowd, the club went up 2-0 after only 16 minutes, then conceded four unanswered goals through the remainder of the match to fall 4–2 to Indy.[19]

Roster
As of March 4, 2020[20]
No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Tim Howard  United States
2 Defender Mark Segbers  United States
3 Defender Zach Carroll  United States
4 Defender Liam Doyle  England
5 Defender Tristan Hodge (on loan from W Connection)  Trinidad and Tobago
6 Midfielder Dan Metzger  United States
7 Midfielder Raul Gonzalez  United States
8 Defender Marc Burch  United States
9 Midfielder Keanu Marsh-Brown  Guyana
10 Midfielder Jean-Christophe Koffi  Ivory Coast
11 Forward Pierre da Silva  United States
12 Goalkeeper Jimmy Hague  United States
14 Midfielder Rafael Mentzingen  Brazil
17 Midfielder Michael Reed  United States
20 Midfielder Jose Baxter  England
21 Forward Duane Muckette  Trinidad and Tobago
23 Midfielder Leston Paul  Trinidad and Tobago
25 Goalkeeper Jim Barkei  United States
29 Forward Brandon Allen  United States
70 Forward Matt Hundley  United States

Competitions

Exhibitions
8 February Preseason 1Saint Louis FC2–1Memphis 901 FCFenton, MO
1:00 PM CST Greig  15'
Academy Trialist  56'		 901 Report
StL Report		 Burch  64' Stadium: West Community Stadium
22 February Preseason 2Memphis 901 FC3–1Forward Madison FCBirmingham, AL
4:00 PM CST
Report
Stadium: Goldfarb Field
23 February Preseason 3Birmingham-Southern CollegevMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
TBD PM CST Stadium: Goldfarb Field
29 February Preseason 4Memphis 901 FC1–0Memphis TigersMemphis, TN
6:00 PM CST Hundley  71' Report Stadium: AutoZone Park

USL Championship
Main article: 2020 USL Championship season

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
13 Atlanta United 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
14 New York Red Bulls II 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
15 North Carolina FC 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
16 Memphis 901 FC 1 0 0 1 2 4 −2 0
17 Miami FC 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots

Match Results

The league announced opening home matches for the season on January 6, 2020.[21]

7 March 1Memphis 901 FC2–4Indy ElevenMemphis, TN
6:00 PM CST Allen  9'
Burch  12'
Carroll  16'
Muckette  17'		 Report Contreras  11'
Carleton  13'
Ayoze  45+3',  88'
Pasher  69',  72'
Haworth  83'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 8,571
Referee: Matthew Thompson
14 March 2Memphis 901 FCP–PSaint Louis FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: Autozone Park
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[22]
22 March 3Sporting KC IIP–PMemphis 901 FCKansas City, KS
4:00 PM CDT Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[22]
28 March 4Memphis 901 FCP–PBirmingham Legion FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[22]
4 April 5Hartford AthleticP–PMemphis 901 FCHartford, CT
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[22]
17 April 6New York Red Bulls IIP–PMemphis 901 FCMontclair, NJ
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: MSU Soccer Park
Note: Match postponed in extension to May 10 of original suspension on advice of CDC[23]
25 April 7Miami FCP–PMemphis 901 FCMiami, FL
6:30 PM CDT Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Note: Match postponed in extension to May 10 of original suspension on advice of CDC[23]
29 April 8Memphis 901 FCP–PCharleston BatteryMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
Note: Match postponed in extension to May 10 of original suspension on advice of CDC[23]
2 May 9Memphis 901 FCP–PAtlanta United 2Memphis, TN
4:00 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
Note: Match postponed in extension to May 10 of original suspension on advice of CDC[23]
9 May 10North Carolina FCP–PMemphis 901 FCCary, NC
4:00 PM CDT Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Note: Match postponed in extension to May 10 of original suspension on advice of CDC[23]
16 May 11Pittsburgh Riverhounds SCvMemphis 901 FCPittsburgh, PA
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Highmark Stadium
30 May 12Memphis 901 FCvCharlotte IndependenceMemphis, TN
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
3 June 13Memphis 901 FCvTampa Bay RowdiesMemphis, TN
6:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
6 June 14Memphis 901 FCvPhiladelphia Union IIMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: Autozone Park
14 June 15Loudoun United FCvMemphis 901 FCLeesburg, VA
3:00 PM CDT Stadium: Loudoun United Stadium
17 June 16Birmingham Legion FCvMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
20 June 17Memphis 901 FCvNew York Red Bulls IIMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
28 June 18Saint Louis FCvMemphis 901 FCFenton, MO
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: Toyota Stadium
4 July 19Charlotte IndependencevMemphis 901 FCMatthews, NC
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
11 July 20Memphis 901 FCvNorth Carolina FCMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
18 July 21Tampa Bay RowdiesvMemphis 901 FCSt. Petersburg, FL
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
25 July 22Memphis 901 FCvMiami FCMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
2 August 23Atlanta United 2vMemphis 901 FCKennesaw, GA
6:30 PM Stadium: Fifth Third Bank Stadium
5 August 24Memphis 901 FCvPittsburgh Riverhounds SCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM Stadium: AutoZone Park
8 August 25Memphis 901 FCvHartford AthleticMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
15 August 26Birmingham Legion FCvMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
19 August 27Louisville City FCvMemphis 901 FCLouisville, KY
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field
22 August 28Memphis 901 FCvLoudoun United FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
5 September 29Indy ElevenvMemphis 901 FCIndianapolis, IN
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
12 September 30Memphis 901 FCvSaint Louis FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: Autozone Park
19 September 31Philadelphia Union IIvMemphis 901 FCBethlehem, PA
5:00 PM CDT Stadium: Goodman Stadium
26 September 32Memphis 901 FCvSporting Kansas City IIMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: Autozone Park
6 October 33Charleston BatteryvMemphis 901 FCCharleston, SC
6:00 PM CDT Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium
10 October 34Memphis 901 FCvLouisville City FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park

USL Championship Return to Play

On June 24, the league announced that play would resume with teams separated into eight groups that would play 16-game regular seasons, with the top two teams in each group then entering a 16-team playoff bracket.[24] On June 26, it was announced that Memphis would be placed in a regional Group G.[25]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Charlotte Independence 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 Advance to USL-C playoffs
2 Birmingham Legion FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 North Carolina FC 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
4 Memphis 901 FC 1 0 0 1 2 4 −2 0
First match(es) will be played on unknown. Source: USL
Rules for classification: 1) Wins, 2) Goal differential, 3) Goals scored, 4) Disciplinary points, 5) Lottery

Match Results

Match dates and kickoff times TBD

Memphis 901 FCvCharlotte IndependenceMemphis, TN
PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
Charlotte IndependencevMemphis 901 FCMatthews, NC
PM CDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Birmingham Legion FCvMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
PM CDT Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
Birmingham Legion FCvMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
PM CDT Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
Memphis 901 FCvNorth Carolina FCMemphis, TN
PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
North Carolina FCvMemphis 901 FCCary, NC
PM CDT Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2020 U.S. Open Cup

As a USL Championship club, Memphis will enter the competition in the Second Round, to be played April 7–9.[26]

8 April 2nd RoundMemphis 901 FC P–P Chattanooga FCMemphis, TN
7:00 PM CST Stadium: Mike Rose Soccer Complex
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[27]

References
  1. "Memphis 901 FC Reveals Full 2019 USL Championship Schedule". Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  3. "Standings". USL Championship. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  4. "With Path to Playoffs, Memphis 901 FC Begins Final Week of Regular Season Tomorrow Night at Charleston Battery". USL Championship. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  5. "Memphis 901 FC Announces Returners for 2020". November 21, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  6. "Tim Howard Named Sporting Director of Memphis 901 FC". January 8, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  7. "Memphis 901 FC Signs Zach Carroll". January 13, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  8. "Memphis 901 FC Signs Mark Segbers". January 14, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  9. "Memphis 901 FC Signs Rafael Mentzingen". January 15, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  10. "Memphis 901 FC Signs Michael Reed". January 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  11. "Midfielder Jean-Christophe Koffi Signs with Memphis 901 FC". January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  12. "Guyanese International Signs with Memphis 901 FC". January 17, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  13. "Memphis 901 FC Inks Jimmy Hague". January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  14. "901 FC to Face Memphis Tigers at Autozone Park". February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  15. "Memphis Falls 2-1 in Preseason Tilt with Saint Louis FC". Memphis 901 FC. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  16. "Memphis Tops Forward Madison in Alabama". Memphis 901 FC. February 23, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  17. "901 FC Edge Tigers in Final Shakedown". Memphis 901 FC. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  18. "Tim Howard-Owned USL Team Lures Tim Howard Out of Retirement to Play GK". Sports Illustrated. March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  19. "Memphis Starts Strong, Edged Out By Indy". Memphis 901 FC. March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  20. "2020 Team Roster". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  21. "Memphis 901 FC To Host Indy Eleven In 2020 Home Opener". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  22. "USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play". uslchampionship.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  23. "USL Championship Extends Temporary Suspension of Season". uslchampionship.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  24. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Season Format". United Soccer Leagues. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  25. "Championship Return to Play Preview – Group G". June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  26. "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  27. "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to COVID-19 Outbreak". ussoccer.com. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
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