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Goalkeeper Chaos as 901 FC Secures Victory in Home Opener

Mark Segbers played as an emergency goalkeeper after John Berner's injury in Memphis' win over Atlanta. (Credit: Memphis 901 FC)

It all looked pretty cut and dried when Skylar Thomas thundered home a header to give Memphis the lead in the second half of its home opener at AutoZone Park. Having played with a man advantage for most of the game, all 901 FC needed was to pass the ball around and run down the clock, or nick a second goal on the break while Atlanta left gaps open at the back. But it’s never that simple, is it? When goalkeeper John Berner went down with an injury near the end of the match, it was up to defender-turned-emergency goalkeeper Mark Segbers to don the gloves and see out a 1-0 home victory for Memphis.

Memphis High Pressing Machine

Coach Ben Pirmann’s game plan continues to pay dividends, at least when it comes to chances created. Despite ceding most of the possession, Memphis loves to get bodies forward into attack, especially after snapping on the heels of Atlanta’s shell-shocked defenders. We saw a great example of that early on, when Kadeem Dacres pickpocketed a defender in the 9th minute and raced towards goal, only to see his shot go narrowly wide of the post. 

The high press also saw Atlanta United 2 reduced to ten men in the 36th minute. Dre Fortune nicked the ball off his brother, Atlanta midfielder Ajani Fortune, who in return promptly hauled down his sibling with a tackle more at home at a tense family Thanksgiving football game than a soccer match. That gave Memphis 55 minutes left to play with a numerical advantage. Attackers continued to exploit the extra space after Atlanta turnovers, creating plenty of quality chances, but the right final pass and finishing just weren’t there for Memphis from open play last night.

But that’s ok. A win is a win, and fans saw a dramatic victory play out while Pirmann is still fine tuning the squad. There’s a firm identity already in place, something that we haven’t really seen from 901 FC in the past two seasons. While there might be a long way to go, Pirmann has said he’s ready to put in the work to make Memphis a contender.

Set Piece Solution

For all of Memphis’ aggressive attacking play, it was a set piece that finally saw the team break through in the 75th minute. Laurent Kissiedou whipped in a corner, and Thomas rose head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd to put it past Atlanta goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo for the winner. 

But this wasn’t just a lucky corner goal. Memphis had dominated set pieces all game. Just one glance at the field saw a significant height superiority for the home side, and Pirmann took full advantage of that. We frequently saw corners hit to the far post, where a much taller Memphis player would be stationed to head it back across goal to an open man. They didn’t always find their mark, but having big men like Thomas up there always gives an extra option. Look for the team to go back to this well throughout the season.

Superman Mark Segbers Between the Sticks

What should have been a comfortable win suddenly twisted into ten minutes of nerve-wracking anxiety when Berner went down in stoppage time with a no-contact injury. After limping off the field, the horror set in that Memphis had already used its five substitutions, which meant that there was no opportunity to send another goalkeeper onto the field.

Enter fullback Segbers, who quickly pulled on the green goalkeeper jersey and a pair of gloves and sat between the sticks, ready to do his part to secure the win. Atlanta players, meanwhile, were licking their lips. Segbers’ move meant that both teams were now down to ten outfield players, and Atlanta commenced its air raid. And while Memphis held down the fort admirably, one defensive mixup almost saw the three points slip away. 

A miskicked clearance led to a ball cut back into the six yard box, where it looked like Atlanta’s Conner Stanley would surely pounce and secure a draw. But Segbers said no. Anticipating the danger, he raced off his line and slid in feet first to smother the shot and save the day for Memphis 901 FC in the 97th minute. Cue jubilant pandemonium from the 5,000+ crowd at AutoZone Park, who had likely been chewing their nails off while waiting for the ref to blow his whistle.

And blow he did, officially marking a victory for Memphis’ home opener. The team’s record now stands at 2-2-2, placing it six of eight in the Central Division on eight points. However, Memphis has played fewer games than every other team in the group, so a few more good results could see the team rocket up the standings.

After a daunting five game road trip to open the season, Memphis has back to back home games, with OKC Energy up next at AutoZone Park this Saturday, June 19th, at 7:30 p.m.

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Memphis 901 FC Adds Two More Academy Players

(Memphis 901 FC)

With two new faces, Memphis 901 FC’s academy ranks are growing by the week. This time around, it’s a forward and a midfielder from the Germantown Legends youth team.

Collierville High School forward Matt Brucker has played for the Germantown Legends organization for seven years, winning four consecutive state championships all while playing in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and National League.

“I’m super excited to be an academy signing,” said Brucker. “It’s a cool experience to come out here and train with a bunch of older guys, and I have a huge respect for all of them. It’s nice to come out here and get used to their tempo and style of play. Overall, it’s just a really awesome experience.” 

Meanwhile, midfielder Max Talley was also a participant in the four straight championships, and bolstered his resumé this summer by winning the state championship with Houston High School in May. He also played for the ODP since 2018.

“I’m super excited to be out here,” Talley said. “It’s a really high level of play, and all the guys out here are top quality. It’s good to be with them, elevating my level, and I’m really happy to be here.” 

17-year-olds Brucker and Talley join fellow academy players Tycho Collins and Simeon Betapudi. All maintain their college eligibility.

Memphis 901 FC’s next match is at 6:00 pm, June 5th, at Indy Eleven.

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Memphis 901 FC Signs Second Academy Product

(Memphis 901 FC)

910 FC’s youth ranks continue to grow with the signing of 17-year-old winger Simeon Betapudi. The rising senior at Memphis University School will join up with the team for the 2021 season.

“It’s surreal because just a year or two ago I was a ball boy [at AutoZone Park], and I would watch them play, and I thought they were really good,” said Betapudi. “It’s fun, but at the same time it’s motivating to get to play with those guys that you watched and really wanted to emulate. Just to be a homegrown player in the Memphis atmosphere is really exciting.” 

Betapudi has been playing soccer since he was four years old, and has played for Memphis FC since 2013, as well as the Region III Olympic Development program since 2019. He has also participated in the Futsal Academy.

“Simeon is one of the top youth players in the Mid-South and we are excited to integrate him into the first team,” said 901 FC head coach Ben Pirmann. “His current youth coach Carl Schmitt has done an excellent job of identifying and preparing him for our club’s environment, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Simeon and the Betapudi family.” 

The winger is 901 FC’s second academy player after the addition of Tycho Collins. As an academy signing, he will maintain his college eligibility.

901 FC’s next match is 7:30pm on Saturday, May 29th, away to OKC Energy.

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Transitions Key as Memphis 901 FC Secures a Point in Atlanta

901 FC defender Andre Reynolds emerges victorious from a challenge with Atlanta's Aiden McFadden. (photo courtesy Atlanta United)

On Sunday, Memphis 901 FC rolled up to Atlanta United 2 in sweltering 90 degree heat for their second match of the season. For the most part, we saw an assured performance from coach Ben Pirmann’s crew, with plenty of solidity at the back and a number of quality chances going forward. And while 901 FC walked away with a point after the 2-2 draw, the 90 minutes showcased plenty of promise for the rest of the season. Here are a few things that we glimpsed in yesterday’s match.

Transition, Transition, Transition

Whenever the home team turned the ball over, we suddenly bore witness to the Atlantean Wile E. Coyotes futilely chasing after Memphis’ roadrunners. On paper, it looked like Pirmann set his charges up in a 4-4-2 formation, perfect for soaking up pressure defensively and launching attacks the other way after a turnover. Time and again, passes were quickly pinged up to either the front two of Dre Fortune and Michael Salazar, or kicked up to wide players Kadeem Dacres and Francis Atuahene. In the middle of pitch, Laurent Kissiedou and Dominic Oduro would offer passing options to their defenders, sucking in the Atlanta United 2 press before switching the play to the opposite flank, with fullback Mark Segbers usually the recipient on the right. With the home side struggling to contain Memphis pouring numbers forward on the break, 901 FC players consistently worked the ball into great goal scoring positions, and the team easily could have scored three or four on the night with a little more composure.

On the flip side, there’s a little more work to be done for defensive transitions. Perhaps cognizant of the long ball from which they conceded last week against Birmingham, the Memphis defense didn’t push up as much to join their marauding attackers. Atlanta sometimes found it easy to run straight through the heart of the pitch after 901 FC had committed players forward, and a focus on getting back into shape quickly will help curb the number of opportunities for opponents. Being just that little bit more attentive after a turnover will help immensely, both at the front and at the back. But overall, Memphis did well to eliminate any good looks for the Atlanta attack.

Kadeem Dacres the Offensive Fulcrum

When 901 FC advanced the ball into dangerous positions, it was more than likely that new signing and Buff City Soap Man of the Match Kadeem Dacres was involved. He was the brightest spot among 901 FC’s buccaneering attack yesterday, cutting inside to shoot, popping up in the box unmarked, or playing creator for teammates. Dacres slotted home Segbers cross to tie the game at 1-1 right before halftime, and also slipped a nice through ball to Kissiedou to put Memphis up 2-1 in the 73rd. 

Many Atlanta players were chasing his shadow all night long, and he mixed well with most of his teammates. Based on this showing, the player to build the attack around going forward is Dacres.

The Segbers Express Motors Onward

Last season, Mark Segbers was one of the most important players for 901 FC’s attack, with the fullback unafraid to charge upfield and get to the byline for crosses. He continued that fine form today, claiming an assist via his cross for Memphis’ opener. Plenty of other times, he charged down an empty right flank when Atlanta had shifted over to the other side of the pitch. That tireless running is a huge weapon for Memphis, able to stretch or overload the opposition defense. Expect plenty more Segbers action throughout the season.

Late Concession Can’t Take Away From a Good Performance

The admittedly well-taken equalizing goal from Atlanta’s Aiden McFadden — scored in the 93rd minute and after the home team had been reduced to 10 men — soured the mood for Pirmann and co. But the late goal can’t take away from the fact that Memphis executed its game plan from the first minute to the last, keeping the home side at bay and creating more quality scoring chances. That’s a far cry from last season, when 901 FC would put in a good performance for 60 or so minutes before things started to crumble. 

Memphis goalkeeper John Berner starts a play out of the back for Memphis 901 FC. (photo courtesy Atlanta United).

But this is a new group of players, and they’ve clearly already developed some chemistry despite so many being late additions to the roster. Both of Atlanta’s goals (a free kick and the impressive “right-place, right-time” volley from McFadden after goalkeeper John Berner palmed away a cross) weren’t the results of gaps in Memphis’ pattern of play. It’s unlucky, but Pirmann has to be encouraged. There are plenty of pieces to work with, and the players who started Sunday’s match against Atlanta showed off some of the excitement we can expect from the team’s attacking weapons this season.

Memphis 901 FC’s next match is at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday, May 29, away to OKC Energy FC.

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Trio of Recent Signings Bolster 901 FC Squad

(Memphis 901 FC)

With opening day less than a week out, Memphis 901 FC’s squad received a boost with the addition of three new signings in midfield and goal over the past week.

Midfielder Dominic Oduro comes to town straight off a USL 2020 Eastern Conference title with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, having made 57 appearances for them in a three-season span. But the Manchester City academy graduate has spent plenty of time in Europe, turning out for sides in Sweden, Belgium, and Denmark, among others.

“Dom is a very tough and disciplined defensive midfielder,” said head coach Ben Pirmann. “He has experiences all over the world and has achieved a lot of success in his last three seasons in the USL Championship. We are delighted to add a top player like him to our growing roster, but beyond thrilled to add such a quality human being. Dom will serve this club and community with top class work rate and push us to our high-end potential.”

Joining Oduro in midfield is Trinidad & Tobago international Dre Fortune. The North Carolina native spent time training at FC Barcelona and Manchester City academies before returning stateside to join the then-USL team Rochester Rhinos. Since 2017, he’s played for North Carolina FC, making 84 appearances and scoring 18 goals. In his final season, he was named the club’s Offensive Player and Most Valuable Player of the Year, recording a 100 percent penalty conversion record and 94.1 percent passing accuracy.

“Dre is a player we have had our eye on for a few years now, so we are thrilled to be welcoming him to Memphis,” said assistant sporting director James Roeling. “He will bring another attacking element to our midfield as a capable goal-scorer who can also provide assists. We like his experience in this league and believe he will be a big part of our success this year.”

The club also signed Jake Gelnovatch to provide goalkeeping depth, giving the 24-year-old former Louisville Cardinal his first professional contract.

Memphis 901 FC’s opening match is away to Birmingham Legion this Saturday, May 15th, at 3:30 p.m.

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The Memphis Americans Bring Professional Indoor Soccer to Bluff City

And then there were two.

Two soccer teams in town, that is. At a press conference at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS, executives unveiled both the newly-formed National Indoor Soccer League (NISL), and one of the first teams to join the burgeoning venture: the Memphis Americans.

Even better, it’s a two for one deal when it comes to this league. The NISL – formed by executives with extensive experience at every level of the indoor game – will support professional squads for both men and women. That means each matchday will see both male and female professional sides take to the turf come game time.

“This will be the first professional indoor soccer league in the country to have both a men and women’s division,” said Joshua Blair, a member of the NISL’s executive board of directors. “It will be the only league in the United States that will have women’s indoor professional soccer. By building both men and women’s teams, we will be able to reach a broader range of fans.”

Each NISL matchday will feature doubleheaders, with the men and women’s teams playing back to back. One ticket will gain spectators access to both matches. The Americans will play 24 matches, and host 12 of those at home in the Landers Center. The season will start “right after Christmas this December, and then run through April,” according to Blair. Capacity at the venue will be around 8,500 people.

For now, the NISL is committed to fielding teams in a minimum of four cities for the upcoming season. But the league is already in talks with several other ownership groups across the country. “Our plan is to start here in the southeastern United States,” he continues, “and build outward from there with the goal of being nationwide in three years.” Meanwhile, the league received a huge boost after signing a five-year strategic partnership with Nike, which will the NISL’s official uniform, apparel, and accessory brand through the 2025-26 season.

L to R: NISL executive board members Jason Gibson, Joshua Blair, and Andrew Haines; Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite; Landers Center executive director Todd Mastry

On a local note, the “Americans” moniker chosen for the team has history in the Mid-South. In 1981, the group Athletes in Action purchased the Major Indoor Soccer League team known as the Hartford Hellions and relocated it to Memphis. The team was rebranded as the Memphis Americans and played at the Mid-South Coliseum through 1984, before new ownership moved the organization to Las Vegas, Nevada. The current name builds on the legacy of that bit of Memphis history, all while taking the name forward.

With the team officially announced, feelers are being put out to gauge interest from coaches around the country. According to fellow NISL board member Andrew Haines, many candidates have already made contact with the team. “We’ve already had discussions on potential candidates, “he says. “We’ve been blowing up over the last 48 hours since word started leaking out. So we’re going to really go through that process slowly and want to make sure we get that right fit.”

When it comes to building a playing squad, the Americans are looking to build a large chunk of the roster out of local athletes. “If you look at the Greater Memphis Area and a three-hour radius around here, the college soccer programs on both men and women’s sides, you’ve got some of the best programs in the country, especially on the women’s side. The talent in this region is unmatched.

“So that’s our first focus. Obviously we want to bring in the best possible talent, so there might be players from other countries. We’ll be working on that, and we’re working with Todd [Mastry, Landers Center executive director] and his staff to do some tryouts in the arena once the turf arrives.”

The tryouts are one product of Haines’ commitment to the value of community. And the Memphis Americans offers the NISL an opportunity to put down roots and bolster the game in the region. “Community is really what I believe in. Every organization I’ve been a part of, we really do get out there. … We have a youth club partner program, and we’ve already started reaching out to youth clubs to work with in the area. We will be club neutral. We have no interest in starting our own youth academy and competing with other clubs; we want to partner with them.”

Beyond academy partnerships, the NISL will host other communal events. Think 3v3 tournaments, youth clinics, or the league’s Play Like the Pros program, where kids can play on the field prior to a game. Many of the professional players will also be available to work with kids through training sessions or other community appearances.

Andrew Haines

After the presser, the Flyer spoke with Haines about some of the NISL’s goals in the community, and why the Memphis market was so appealing.

Memphis Flyer: You’re launching a brand new league; what made this an attractive market for one of your first teams?

Haines: My history coming to the market [from St. Louis], and knowing about the arena over the past 15-20 years, and working with Todd and his staff. … When they make you feel like a part of the family, part of the team, it’s important. We need that partnership with the facility, because if you don’t have that partnership, you’re just renting the building. With their involvement and interest, that will help us be successful. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been this excited in a while. We’re adding the women’s component, and I just think this market will be very successful.

You’d mentioned that your focus for building a roster would be very local. Have you already reached out to specific programs or universities?

We’ve reached out to every university and soccer program within an hour-and-a-half from here to start. Obviously I’m not going to be the coach, so I want them to build those relationships, but I at least wanted to make initial contact. So far, we’ve gotten a really positive response. They’ve got players who are graduating or who have already graduated they want us to look at. University of Memphis, we’ve got some great feedback there from both the men and women’s programs. We have to tap into these local resources. There’s so much talent within the region, and we just have to find it.

You’ll be the second soccer team joining this market. Do you have any interest in having a partnership or crossover with 901 FC?

We’re open to anything. In the past, for organizations I’ve run, we’ve always partnered with the other sports teams in the market, whether that be an NBA team, MLB, soccer. For us, we’re all about collaboration. We understand we might be competing for sponsor dollars every now and again, but the more successful we all are as teams, the better it is for everyone. We’ve started building relationships already. The Grizzlies invited us out to the game last night, we’ve talked with 901 FC, the Hustle was here today. From our standpoint, that’s what it’s all about.

For the coaching search, I know it takes a certain amount of time to find the right fit. Do you have a timeframe for when you’ll make that decision?

No, we want to make sure we have the right coach. We have such a cool opportunity here. We want to make sure we hit it out of the park, and get someone who’s the right fit for who we need. So we’re going to be careful about that. We’d love to have it sooner than later, of course, but we’re going to take the time we need.

Visit the NISL website or Memphis Americans website to learn more about the league. Season tickets for the inaugural season are already on sale.

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901 FC Signs Attacking Midfielder Laurent Kissiedou

(Memphis 901 FC)

Memphis 901 FC added yet another attacking weapon to its roster.

The latest newcomer is Laurent Kissiedou, a native of Divo, Ivory Coast, who plays as an attacking midfielder. And the 22-year-old brings plenty of experience to the squad.

After joining the Atlanta United academy in 2016, he made his first professional appearance during a spell at the USL’s Charleston Battery in 2017. But the bulk of his work has been with Atlanta United 2 since 2018. Over the last two seasons, he made 46 appearances (33 starts) and scored four goals.

“Laurent is a skilled and industrious midfielder with nearly 50 USL Championship appearances at only 22 years of age,” said 901 FC assistant sporting director James Roeling. “He is a fighter on the field, a great human being off it, and will be a valuable addition to the roster and the Memphis 901 FC family.”

Kissiedou will play alongside midfield colleagues Kadeem Dacres, Mitch Guitar, Roland Lamah, and Leston Paul.

In the meantime, check out an example of Kissiedou’s finishing ability here.

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901 FC Signs Former Loanee Rashawn Dally

Rashawn Dally spent part of the 2019 USL season on loan at 901 FC. (photo courtesy Memphis 901 FC)

A familiar face returns to AutoZone Park this season, and he’s got a little bit of 901 FC history in his boots.

The team announced the signing of Rashawn Dally, a forward who played for Memphis on loan from parent club FC Cincinnati during the 2019 season. After linking up with his Memphis teammates, he wrote himself into 901 FC lore by securing the organization’s first-ever win in the USL. During a trip to Chester, Pennsylvania, Dally pounced on a defensive mistake by the Bethlehem Steel to score his first professional goal.

Rashawn Dally’s goal against Bethlehem Steel secured 901 FC’s first USL win

After briefly returning to Cincinnati, he spent another USL season with Las Vegas Lights FC, scoring three goals in 14 appearances.

“We are thrilled to add Rashawn to the attacking corps of our club,” said 901 FC head coach Ben Pirmann. “We were fortunate enough to work with Rashawn in the 2019 season and his development over the past two years has turned him into a very threatening striker in the USL Championship. He is a phenomenal young man, and we can’t wait for him to improve an already daunting front line.”

Memphis now has plenty of attacking riches at its disposal, with Dally just the latest addition to a forward line featuring Roland Lamah, Kadeem Dacres, Kyle Murphy, Michael Salazar, and Francis Atuahene.

Memphis 901 FC opens the 2021 season away at Birmingham Legion on Saturday, May 15th.

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Memphis 901 FC Signs Francis Atuahene

Ghana native Francis Atuahene is the newest addition to the 901 FC attack.

It’s another name in the books for the Memphis 901 FC squad, with attacker Francis Atuahene joining up with the team ahead of the 2021 USL season.

The Ghanaian attacker comes with pedigree. Three successful years of collegiate soccer at University of Michigan (with two selections for the All-Big Ten First Team) prompted a declaration for the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected fourth overall by FC Dallas.

And 42 seconds into his debut, he scored. Watch that goal. Most players are nervous making their first professional appearance, but the strike just oozes confidence and skill. There shouldn’t be any sort of opening to shoot from that position, but Atuahene’s outside of the boot flick catches everyone off guard. That’s just the kind of unpredictability teams need in tight matches.

Following his first MLS appearance, Atuahene spent several loan spells with USL sides, including Oklahoma City Energy, Austin Bold FC, and San Diego Loyal SC.

“Francis is a talented, dynamic attacker who likes to drive at defenders,” says 901 FC assistant sporting director James Roeling. “His explosiveness with the ball and understanding of the league will make him a valuable addition to our roster this year.”

Atuahene will link up with fellow attackers Kyle Murphy, Michael Salazar, and Roland Lamah. 901 FC opens its season against rivals Birmingham Legion on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m.

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Michael Salazar Joins Memphis 901 FC Attack

(Memphis 901 FC)

Memphis continued its pre-season roster building with a forward-thinking addition to the squad.

Belizean Michael Salazar is the latest face to join up with Memphis at AutoZone Park, forming the third prong of a promising attacking trident that also features new signings Kyle Murphy and Roland Lamah.

“We’re thrilled to have Michael join us for the 2021 season,” said 901 FC sporting director Tim Howard. “He is a highly talented and experienced international striker and another quality addition to our dynamic attacking group.”

The attacker brings extensive experience to the 901 FC organization; he had collegiate success for both Cal Baptist and UC Riverside before kickstarting his professional career in 2016, being drafted 24th in the MLS SuperDraft by the Montréal Impact. While frequently playing for the team’s USL affiliates, he made a total of 36 appearances for the top-level side, tallying six goals and two assists. He also made 11 appearances for MLS side Houston Dynamo FC in 2019.

Salazar also suits up for the Belize national team, for which he’s made 14 appearances and scored one goal. He’s represented his country in international tournaments such as the Gold Cup, Copa Centroamericano, and the CONCACAF Nations League.

Check out a glimpse of Salazar’s attacking prowess here.