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]
| 2020 season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tim Mulqueen (until September 15) Ben Pirmann, interim (since September 15) |
| Stadium | AutoZone Park Memphis, Tennessee |
| USL | Group G: 4th Conference: 11th |
| USL Playoffs | Did Not Qualify |
| 2020 U.S. Open Cup | Cancelled |
| Top goalscorer | Cal Jennings (9) |
| Highest home attendance | 8,571 (March 7 v. IND) |
| Lowest home attendance | 901 (Aug. 8 v. NC) 901 (Oct. 3 v. BHM) |
| Average home league attendance | 3,458 |
| Biggest win | CLT 1–3 MEM (Sept. 26) MEM 3–1 BHM (Oct. 3) |
| Biggest defeat | BHM 3–0 MEM (July 15) LOU 4–1 MEM (Sept. 19) |
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] The club followed that performance with a draw on the road against group leaders Birmingham. 901 held a 2–1 lead onwards from the 28th minute, but the Legion earned a penalty kick in stoppage time to claim a draw.[30] The club's final match of the month away to North Carolina was postponed in the midst of the reactions to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[31]
September
The club began a busy month of seven matches, six scheduled and one rescheduled, by losing at home to Charlotte 0–2. The match was particularly bad for Keanu Marsh-Brown who failed to convert a penalty kick in the eighth minute, then had a corner kick deflect off of him in the 32nd minute to put Charlotte on the scoreboard with an own goal.[32] Next, 901 earned another point with a draw against group leaders Birmingham, this time at home with each club scoring one goal.[33] The rescheduling of the postponed August 29th match created a situation that had the club playing North Carolina on the road twice in three days.[34] In the first match, Memphis scored their second competitive win of the season by the score of 3–2, courtesy of a stoppage time goal from Matt Hundley.[35] In the second match, Memphis surrendered a two-goal lead for the fourth time during the season in a 2–3 loss.[36]
On September 15 the club announced that inaugural manager Tim Mulqueen was being relieved of his duties, with assistant coach Ben Pirmann stepping in to fill the vacancy in the interim.[37] The team began the post-Mulqueen era with a 4–1 loss away at Louisville. The lone bright spot in the match for 901 was rookie Cal Jennings scoring his third goal in only two matches.[38] Following the postponement of their September 23rd match at NCFC,[39] the 901 notched a 3–1 victory away versus Charlotte on the 26th. Despite four internal disciplinary suspensions that left the team with only three available substitutes, another Cal Jennings brace of goals propelled them to the victory.[40]
October
Memphis finished their season with another 3–1 victory, at home against Birmingham on this occasion. 901 FC's entire scoring output consisted of a hat trick from Cal Jennings.[41] Due to both Memphis and North Carolina FC being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, league policy cancelled the clubs' postponed September 23rd match, leaving both clubs with fifteen played matches.[42]
Roster
- As of October 6, 2020[43]
Competitions
Exhibitions
| 8 February Preseason 1 | Saint Louis FC | 2–1 | Memphis 901 FC | Fenton, MO |
| 1:00 PM CST | Greig  15'Academy Trialist 56' |
901 Report StL Report |
Burch 64' |
Stadium: West Community Stadium |
| 22 February Preseason 2 | Memphis 901 FC | 3–1 | Forward Madison FC | Birmingham, AL |
| 4:00 PM CST | Report | Stadium: Goldfarb Field |
| 23 February Preseason 3 | Birmingham-Southern College | v | Memphis 901 FC | Birmingham, AL |
| TBD PM CST | Stadium: Goldfarb Field |
| 29 February Preseason 4 | Memphis 901 FC | 1–0 | Memphis Tigers | Memphis, TN |
| 6:00 PM CST | Hundley 71' |
Report | Stadium: AutoZone Park |
USL Championship
Standings — Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte Independence | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 22 | +2 | 28 | 1.75 | Advance to USL Championship Playoffs |
| 2 | Birmingham Legion FC | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 25 | 1.56 | |
| 3 | North Carolina FC | 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 17 | 21 | −4 | 19 | 1.27 | |
| 4 | Memphis 901 FC | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 31 | −7 | 16 | 1.07 |
Match results
The league announced opening home matches for the season on January 6, 2020.[44] In the preparations for the resumption of league play, the remainder of Memphis' schedule was announced on July 2.[45]
| 7 March 1 | Memphis 901 FC | 2–4 | Indy Eleven | Memphis, 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 2 | Birmingham Legion FC | 3–0 | Memphis 901 FC | Birmingham, 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 3 | Atlanta United 2 | 2–2 | Memphis 901 FC | Kennesaw, 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 |
| 25 July 4 | Memphis 901 FC | 2–2 | Charlotte Independence | Memphis, 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 5 | Memphis 901 FC | 1–0 | Saint Louis FC | Memphis, 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 6 | Memphis 901 FC | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Memphis, TN |
| 4:00 PM CDT | Paul 65' |
Report | Ward 15', 38' Fortune 21' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 901 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| 15 August 7 | Charlotte Independence | 3–2 | Memphis 901 FC | Matthews, NC |
| 6:00 PM CDT | Johnson 30' Kelly 53' Martinez 60' (pen.) Lacroix 65' Haakenson 69' |
Report | Segbers 13', 72' Mentzingen 51' Muckette 90+4' |
Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
| 22 August 8 | Birmingham Legion FC | 2–2 | Memphis 901 FC | Birmingham, AL |
| 6:30 PM CDT | Lapa 12' Asiedu 24' Akinyode 28' Brett 90+8' (pen.) |
Report | Mentzingen 18', 90+4' Marsh-Brown 29' (pen.), 52' Gonzalez 45' Hague 90+2' |
Stadium: BBVA Compass Field Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
| 29 August 9 | North Carolina FC | P–P | Memphis 901 FC | Cary, NC |
| TBA PM CDT | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park | |||
| Note: Postponed as part of the protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake [31][46] | ||||
| 2 September 10 | Memphis 901 FC | 0–2 | Charlotte Independence | Memphis, TN |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Marsh-Brown  8' Paul 56' |
Report | Marsh-Brown 32' (o.g.) Haakenson 45+3' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Referee: Tori Penso |
| 5 September 11 | Memphis 901 FC | 1–1 | Birmingham Legion FC | Memphis, TN |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Baxter 25' Marsh-Brown 28' Metzger 61'  73' |
Report | E. Crognale 43' Lapa 48' (pen.), 89' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Referee: Jervis Atagana |
| 10 September 9 | North Carolina FC | 2–3 | Memphis 901 FC | Cary, NC |
| 6:00 PM CDT | Pecka 45+1' Fortune 64' Kristo 86' Taylor 90+1', 90+7' |
Report | Mentzingen 30' Baxter 36' Paul 55' Hundley 75', 90+8' Jennings 89' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Referee: John Matto |
| Note: Re-schedule of postponed 29 August match.[47] | ||||
| 13 September 12 | North Carolina FC | 3–2 | Memphis 901 FC | Cary, NC |
| 5:00 PM CDT | Barry 29', 58' Donovan 55' Ward 65' Albadawi 89' |
Report | Jennings 24', 35' Carroll 45+1' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Referee: John Griggs |
| Note: Match originally scheduled for 12 September.[47] | ||||
| 19 September 13 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Memphis 901 FC | Louisville, KY |
| 6:30 PM CDT | Lancaster 14', 72' Ownby 24' Hoppenot 70' Bone 84' |
Report | Jennings 44' |
Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
| 23 September 14 | Memphis 901 FC | v | North Carolina FC | Memphis, TN |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Stadium: AutoZone Park | |||
| Note: Postponed after a member of the Memphis 901 FC organization tested positive for COVID-19.[39] | ||||
| 26 September 15 | Charlotte Independence | 1–3 | Memphis 901 FC | Matthews, NC |
| 6:00 PM CDT | Roberts 12' Kelly 24' Sabella 33' Etou 68' Dimick 82' |
Report | Paul 20' Baxter 41' Jennings 43', 86' McCabe 89' Allen 90+1' |
Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| 3 October 16 | Memphis 901 FC | 3–1 | Birmingham Legion FC | Memphis, TN |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Jennings 36', 54', 86' Muckette 43' Marsh-Brown 79' |
Report | A. Crognale 23' Lopez 33' Lapa 41' Williams 66' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 901 Referee: Ben Meyer |
U.S. Open Cup
As a USL Championship club, Memphis will enter the competition in the Second Round, to be played April 7–9.[48]
| 8 April 2nd Round | Memphis 901 FC  | P–P | Chattanooga FC | Memphis, TN |
| 7:00 PM CST | Stadium: Mike Rose Soccer Complex | |||
| Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[49] | ||||
Statistics
- As of October 6, 2020 Source: Memphis901FC.com[50]
Numbers after plus-sign(+) denote appearances as a substitute.
Appearances and goals
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | USL Championship Regular Season | Playoffs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 21 | MF |  |
Duane Muckette | 15 | 0 | 11+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | FW |  |
Brandon Allen | 15 | 3 | 9+6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | |
Rece Buckmaster | 14 | 1 | 14+0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | |
Leston Paul | 14 | 0 | 10+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | FW | |
Cal Jennings | 14 | 9 | 6+8 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW |  |
Keanu Marsh-Brown | 13 | 3 | 12+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | |
Zach Carroll | 13 | 1 | 11+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF |  |
Rafael Mentzingen | 13 | 3 | 8+5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | |
Michael Reed | 12 | 2 | 7+5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | |
Mark Segbers | 10 | 1 | 10+0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | |
Tristan Hodge | 10 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF |  |
Jean-Christophe Koffi | 10 | 0 | 8+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 70 | FW | |
Matt Hundley | 10 | 2 | 2+8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | GK | |
Jimmy Hague | 9 | 0 | 9+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | DF | |
Marc Burch | 8 | 0 | 7+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF |  |
Jose Baxter | 8 | 1 | 6+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF |  |
Liam Doyle | 8 | 0 | 6+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | |
Tommy McCabe | 7 | 0 | 7+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | |
Raul Gonzalez | 7 | 0 | 3+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | GK | |
Tim Howard | 6 | 0 | 6+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | |
Pierre da Silva | 4 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | |
Dan Metzger | 4 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | |
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey | 3 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
- "Memphis 901 FC Reveals Full 2019 USL Championship Schedule". Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Standings". USL Championship. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "With Path to Playoffs, Memphis 901 FC Begins Final Week of Regular Season Tomorrow Night at Charleston Battery". USL Championship. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Announces Returners for 2020". November 21, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Tim Howard Named Sporting Director of Memphis 901 FC". January 8, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Signs Zach Carroll". January 13, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Signs Mark Segbers". January 14, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Signs Rafael Mentzingen". January 15, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Signs Michael Reed". January 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Midfielder Jean-Christophe Koffi Signs with Memphis 901 FC". January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Guyanese International Signs with Memphis 901 FC". January 17, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Inks Jimmy Hague". January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- "901 FC to Face Memphis Tigers at Autozone Park". February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "Memphis Falls 2-1 in Preseason Tilt with Saint Louis FC". Memphis 901 FC. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- "Memphis Tops Forward Madison in Alabama". Memphis 901 FC. February 23, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- "901 FC Edge Tigers in Final Shakedown". Memphis 901 FC. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- "Tim Howard-Owned USL Team Lures Tim Howard Out of Retirement to Play GK". Sports Illustrated. March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- "Memphis Starts Strong, Edged Out By Indy". Memphis 901 FC. March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- "USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play". uslchampionship.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- "USL Championship Extends Temporary Suspension of Season". uslchampionship.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "USL Championship Announces July 11 Return". uslchampionship.com. June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Season Format". uslchampionship.com. June 24, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "Championship Return to Play Preview – Group G". uslchampionship.com. June 26, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "901 FC Returns: Falls Short To Rival Birmingham". memphis901fc.com. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- "901 FC Secures First Point of 2020 Season". memphis901fc.com. July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- "Memphis Takes A Draw In First Match Back Home". memphis901fc.com. July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Defeats St. Louis For First Win Of The Season". memphis901fc.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "Memphis Falls To North Carolina". memphis901fc.com. August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "901 FC Earns Draw Against Group-Leading Birmingham". Memphis901FC.com. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Match at North Carolina FC Postponed". August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- "Luke Haakenson Goal Lifts Charlotte Independence to Spirited 2-0 Win vs. Memphis 901 FC". CharlotteIndependence.com. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Memphis Takes One Point Against Group Leader". Memphis901FC.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Memphis Reschedules Matches Against North Carolina FC". Memphis901FC.com. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Matt Hundley Scores in Stoppage Time to Give Memphis the Win". Memphis901FC.com. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Memphis Gives Up Two-Goal Lead North Carolina". Memphis901FC.com. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Dismisses Head Coach Tim Mulqueen". Memphis901FC.com. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1123614 |title=901 FC Falls 4-1 in Louisville |website=Memphis901FC.com |date=September 19, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020 }}
- "Match Against North Carolina FC Postponed". Memphis901FC.com. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- "901 FC Defeats Charlotte & Wins Fans Free Chick-Fil-A". Memphic901FC.com. September 26, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- "Memphis Ends Season on High Note". Memphis901FC.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- "RGVFC Match Against Tulsa Postponed". USLChampionship.com. September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- "2020 Team Roster". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC To Host Indy Eleven In 2020 Home Opener". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- "Memphis 901 FC Releases Return To Play Schedule". memphis901fc.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "Saturday's NCFC home match with Memphis 901 postponed". August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- "North Carolina FC Matches Against Memphis 901 FC Rescheduled". September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- "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.
- "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.
- "2020 Statistics". Retrieved October 6, 2020.
