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 attendance4,736
Biggest defeat0–3
(July 15 vs. Birmingham)

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] In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the league suspended play for 30 days beginning March 12.[20] On March 19, the suspension was further extended to May 10.[21]

June

On June 4, the league announced a tentative date of July 11 for a resumption of play.[22] Later, the league announced that upon resumption of play, teams would be separated into eight regional groups and play enough matches to complete a 16-game schedule.[23] On June 26, the league announced that Memphis was to be placed into Group G with other regional clubs including Birmingham, Charlotte, and North Carolina.[24]

July

Memphis began their Return To Play campaign in Group G on July 15 with a 0–3 loss on the road at Birmingham. Despite dominating first-half possession with 64%, Memphis conceded three goals before the half-time break.[25] Three days later, the club secured its first point of the season with a 2–2 draw away to Atlanta United 2. The tie was secured by a stoppage time goal from Cal Jennings in only his second professional appearance.[26] In their first home match after the Return To Play restart, the club secured another point with another 2–2 draw versus Charlotte.[27]

August

Memphis began the month by scoring their first competitive win of the season at home versus St. Louis. Keanu Marsh-Brown scored the go-ahead goal in the 54th minute, with the defense protecting the lead by limiting St. Louis to one shot on goal through the remainder of the match.[28] The club finished their 3-match homestand with a 0–1 loss to North Carolina FC. Akeem Ward scored for NCFC in the 38th minute and the team was unable to equalize despite controlling possession with 55% in the 1st half and 56% in the 2nd half.[29]

Roster
As of March 4, 2020[30]
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 — Group G
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Birmingham Legion FC 7 4 2 1 12 5 +7 14 Advance to USL Championship Playoffs
2 North Carolina FC 4 2 1 1 4 3 +1 7
3 Charlotte Independence 5 1 3 1 7 9 −2 6
4 Memphis 901 FC 6 1 2 3 7 12 −5 5
Updated to match(es) played on August 12, 2020. Source: USL

Match Results

The league announced opening home matches for the season on January 6, 2020.[31] In the preparations for the resumption of league play, the remainder of Memphis' schedule was announced on July 2.[32]

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
15 July 2Birmingham Legion FC3–0Memphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
6:00 PM CDT Lapa  22',  41'
Servania  30'
Wright  31'
Crognale  52'		 Report da Silva  27'
Carroll  58'		 Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Note: Televised live on ESPN2
18 July 3Atlanta United 22–2Memphis 901 FCKennesaw, GA
6:30 PM CDT Conway  21'
Gannon  57'
Diop  67'
Gurr  78'
Jawneh  90+7'		 Report Doyle  16'
Allen  44'
Hodge  74'
Segbers  90'
Jennings  90+2'		 Stadium: Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
26 July 4Memphis 901 FC2–2Charlotte IndependenceMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Allen  16'
Buckmaster  56',  86'
Reed  90+2'		 Report Etou  37'
Kelly  45+1'
Haakenson  51'
Sabella  83'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Referee: Ben Meyer
1 August 5Memphis 901 FC1–0Saint Louis FCMemphis, TN
7:30 PM CDT Muckette  11'
Marsh-Brown  54'
Koffi  69'
Paul  90'
Hodge  90+2'
Segbers  90+6'		 Report Rivas  64' Stadium: Autozone Park
Referee: Matt Thompson
8 August 6Memphis 901 FC0–1North Carolina FCMemphis, TN
4:00 PM CDT Paul  65' Report Ward  15',  38'
Fortune  21'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 901
Referee: Matthew Thompson
15 August 7Charlotte IndependencevMemphis 901 FCMatthews, NC
TBA PM CDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
22 August 8Birmingham Legion FCvMemphis 901 FCBirmingham, AL
TBA PM CDT Stadium: BBVA Compass Field
29 August 9North Carolina FCvMemphis 901 FCCary, NC
TBA PM CDT Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
2 September 10Memphis 901 FCvCharlotte IndependenceMemphis, TN
TBA PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
5 September 11Memphis 901 FCvBirmingham Legion FCMemphis, TN
TBA PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
12 September 12North Carolina FCvMemphis 901 FCCary, NC
TBA PM CDT Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
19 September 13Louisville City FCvMemphis 901 FCLouisville, KY
TBA PM CDT Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field
23 September 14Memphis 901 FCvNorth Carolina FCMemphis, TN
TBA PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
26 September 15Charlotte IndependencevMemphis 901 FCMatthews, NC
TBA PM CDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
3 October 16Memphis 901 FCvBirmingham Legion FCMemphis, TN
TBA PM CDT Stadium: AutoZone 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.[33]

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[34]
gollark: I have a nonincubated one which will hatch in 1d6h.
gollark: Is it viewbombing or just an accident?
gollark: <@!383017585584766977> ^
gollark: 'Tis annoying and boring.
gollark: Er, fourteen.

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. "USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play". uslchampionship.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  21. "USL Championship Extends Temporary Suspension of Season". uslchampionship.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  22. "USL Championship Announces July 11 Return". uslchampionship.com. June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  23. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Season Format". uslchampionship.com. June 24, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  24. "Championship Return to Play Preview – Group G". uslchampionship.com. June 26, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  25. "901 FC Returns: Falls Short To Rival Birmingham". memphis901fc.com. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  26. "901 FC Secures First Point of 2020 Season". memphis901fc.com. July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  27. "Memphis Takes A Draw In First Match Back Home". memphis901fc.com. July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  28. "Memphis 901 FC Defeats St. Louis For First Win Of The Season". memphis901fc.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  29. "Memphis Falls To North Carolina". memphis901fc.com. August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  30. "2020 Team Roster". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  31. "Memphis 901 FC To Host Indy Eleven In 2020 Home Opener". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  32. "Memphis 901 FC Releases Return To Play Schedule". memphis901fc.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  33. "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.
  34. "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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