Tag: United Soccer League

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USL Announces 2021 Season Format, Opening Dates

CREDIT: USL Championship

USL Championship

Following a Board of Governors meeting, the United Soccer League (USL) announced that teams would begin the 2021 season on or about May 1st.

As opposed to the usual Eastern and Western conferences, the league will see teams split into four separate divisions. A 32-game slate will run for 27 weeks, with the season expected to conclude in October, followed by playoffs in November.

To account for any necessary flexibility, the Board has approved teams to begin play anywhere between April 24th and May 15th. Stay tuned for specifics on Memphis 901 FC, as further details will be forthcoming over the next few months, but may be subject to changes due to COVID-19. The full release can be read below:

The USL Championship announced on Thursday following the league’s Board of Governors meeting that the 2021 regular season will begin on or about May 1, see the teams split into four divisions, and will contain a 32-game slate running across 27 weeks through the end of October with playoffs scheduled for November.

In voting for a flexible start date, the Governors have approved for clubs to begin play anywhere between April 24th and May 15th. Further announcements on scheduling, divisional alignment, and playoff structure will be made in the coming months, and the league will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 crises in the event that alterations to the format need to be made.

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901 FC Ends on a High Against Birmingham

CREDIT: Eric Glemser

That’s a wrap, folks, as one of the weirdest sporting seasons in memory came to a close for 901 FC. Despite not having much left to play for, an action-packed 90 minutes at AutoZone Park saw standout performances from the Memphis squad, including a certain red-hot striker. When the dust settled, 901 FC watched the curtain fall after dismantling Birmingham Legion 3-1.

And as early as the 10th minute, 901 FC was setting the tone for how the rest of the game would play out.

Eric Glemser

Striker Cal Jennings wheels away in celebration with midfielder Duane Muckette after scoring the opener in Memphis’ 3-1 win over Birmingham.

After a Birmingham turnover, the ball made its way to midfielder Jose Baxter, who quickly turned and played a ball over the top for Cal Jennings to chase. The striker’s left-footed shot stung the palms of Birmingham goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg, but the blueprint was clear: Jennings would have spaces to attack.

That same duo was heavily involved as Memphis took the lead on 36 minutes. Baxter danced his way around the top of the box before slipping in fullback Rece Buckmaster down the right, whose first-time cross was poked home by the outstretched toe of Jennings.

The Legion equalized shortly before halftime, Bruno Lapa having a second bite of the cherry after collecting his own shot’s rebound off the post and slotting it past Jimmy Hague. But after the break, normal service resumed. On 54 minutes, Keanu Marsh-Brown seized on a poor cross-field pass from JJ Williams and headed the ball into Jennings’ path. After a few deft touches, the attacker made no mistake and made it 2-1 to Memphis.

At this point, it seemed that every time the ball fell Jennings’ way, Memphis would score. Baxter duly obliged this school of thought again in the 86th minute, cleverly backheeling a pass in front of the goalscorer, who brushed off his marker as if it were nothing and buried the shot to complete his hat trick.

The whistle blew at 3-1 in Memphis’ favor, the team’s second win in a row, both by the same scoreline. At the heart of it all? Cal Jennings. The University of Central Florida grad has dispelled any notions about who should be starting up top for 901 FC next year, with a ludicrous eight goals in his last four matches (nine goals for the season in 14 appearances). Along with signing a new head coach, retaining Jennings should be top priority in the offseason.

Eric Glemser

Captain Marc Burch announced his retirement upon the conclusion of 901 FC’s season

Behind the attack, Memphis’ midfield looked impressive for the full 90. Tommy McCabe has been an astute acquisition on loan, while Baxter put himself at the heart of every good move. They rotated seamlessly alongside Duane Muckette; every time one played a pass, there would always be two other passing options, creating triangles all over the pitch and allowing for quick ball circulation. Most intriguing, however, was the return (in my opinion) of peak Muckette. At his best, the Trinidadian international is a constant outlet, capable of breaking pressure and playing penetrative passes. He looked a bit off-color for most of the year, but reminded us of the immense quality he possesses.

Focus now shifts to the offseason, where the organization will have to make some big decisions on player acquisition and retention, including figuring out how to replace retiring captain Marc Burch.

For some deeper musings on how this season unfolded, be sure to pick up next Wednesday’s issue of the Flyer.

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With One Match Remaining, 901 FC Looks Ahead

CREDIT: 901 FC

With year two coming to a close, 901 FC has the chance to set a positive tone for the offseason. Everyone saw the graphic plastered up on the ESPN feed during last weekend’s 3-1 away win vs. the Charlotte Independence: If Memphis had won all the games in which it had gone ahead in Group G, then the team would have easily topped the group. Instead, defensive inconsistency frequently saw the team drop valuable points in the race for a playoff berth.

901 FC

Cal Jennings proved too much for the Charlotte defense to handle during 901 FC’s 3-1 win.

Despite a frustrating campaign, the squad and interim coach Ben Pirmann began the healing process with last Saturday’s victory over Charlotte. A shaky early 20 minutes culminated in a soft concession to Charlotte’s Dane Kelly, but from there, 901 FC flipped a switch and put on about as comprehensive a performance as we’ve seen this season. Midfielder Jose Baxter picked up his first goal with a sublime curler from outside the box after great work from Keanu Marsh-Brown. Cal Jennings continued his hot run of form with menacing runs throughout the 90, constantly tormenting Charlotte’s backline and helping himself to two more goals.

The defense, meanwhile, kept a level of focus that we haven’t seen in quite some time. There were none of the risky mistakes that we’ve seen over the course of the season from both center backs and fullbacks, and constant communication kept Charlotte from finding swathes of space to exploit.

And yet, the narrative for the game could have been so much different. Memphis took to the field with only 14 players on their roster; several had been cut from the squad due to violating some unspecified team rules. That meant the team had zero margin for error when it came to substitutions and injuries. Additionally, 901 FC had no chance of qualifying for the playoffs, while Charlotte looked to snag first spot in Group G. And yet, what we saw out there in Charlotte was a collective buy-in that said the squad wouldn’t give up. It would have been easy to phone it in for the remaining couple of games, but there was urgency, precision, and fight.

As mentioned before, Jennings made it his personal mission to race toward the Charlotte defense and keep them off balance. Marsh-Brown could easily be spotted chasing the opposition into his own defensive half to recover the ball. Tommy McCabe and Leston Paul were totally locked in at the center of the pitch, spinning and playing quick vertical passes to unlock their opponents. And at the back, goalkeeper Jimmy Hague recovered from an early error to make several crucial stops and keep Charlotte off the board in the second half.

The season didn’t pan out as the organization wanted, but the staff and the players know that. It was a season of fine margins, but Pirmann and the squad know they can do better. “At the end of the day, we can say ‘we were this far away from this many games,’” said Pirmann at a press conference earlier this week. “I know they put the graphic up during the game about the what if, but hopefully there are no more what ifs. Hopefully we can look at it and say this is what we’ve done, this is where we want to maintain standards, and then keep going from there. Whether it’s life or its 901 FC, there are a lot of learning lessons.”

While there won’t be any playoffs after year two, the team has shown what it’s capable of achieving at its peak, and I think that ceiling is certainly that of a playoff team. For now, it’s clear that the players have bought in to what Pirmann is selling, and the best thing they can do is go out with a bang after a run of positive results.

901 FC closes out its season at AutoZone Park against Birmingham Legion tomorrow, October 3rd, at 7 p.m.

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A Tale of Two Halves

Mark Segbers will line up for 901 FC in its home opener against Atlanta United 2 on June 16th. (901 FC/Eric Glemser)

It was the best of halves. It was the worst of halves.

For 45 minutes, Memphis put in one of its best performances of the season last weekend against the Charlotte Independence in North Carolina. But at halftime, a large lightning storm delayed the game, and the resulting electricity powered a machine to resurrect Charlotte’s Frankenstein monster, and the home team emerged reborn for the second half. In the space of just 16 minutes, 901 FC conceded three unanswered goals en route to a 3-2 defeat on the road.

Eric Glemser

Fullback Mark Segbers scored his first goal of the season, and was Memphis’ best performer on the night

Let’s start with the good stuff, though. Captain Marc Burch finally made a full start after a lengthy injury battle, and replaced Zach Carroll in the starting lineup. The rest of the back four remained unchanged in front of goalkeeper Jimmy Hague, and in the first half, the defensive unit had almost nothing to do.

The opening 45 minutes were all Memphis. The entire team pressed in unison, starving Charlotte of any space and pinging around quick passes that left the Independence chasing shadows. Midfielders Duane Muckette, Leston Paul, and Michael Reed were keenly aware of each other’s positioning and shifted to cover every time Charlotte threatened to break through the lines. In fact, the only real scare for Memphis was a highly acrobatic effort from Tresor Mbuyu that crashed off the crossbar.

Offensively, Memphis was ruthless and efficient, its slick passing machine humming along nicely and getting into good positions. In the 13th minute, the players produced what was almost a carbon copy of Keanu Marsh-Brown’s winner against St. Louis earlier this month. This time, it was Duane Muckette who turned into space in midfield and spotted a wide-open Mark Segbers making a run in behind. The former’s looped ball over the top found the fullback, who this time took the ball inside and hit his shot between Charlotte keeper Brandon Miller’s legs for 1-0.

Memphis saw out the rest of the half in complete control, but lightning storms at halftime caused a delay upwards of 45 minutes. That put a stop to 901 FC’s momentum, and allowed the Charlotte squad to take an extra breather and regroup. I don’t know what it was after the break (perhaps complacency?), but Memphis seemed unprepared for a reinvigorated Charlotte.

What rankles the most is that, in the 50th minute, Memphis should have put any lingering nerves to rest after scoring its second goal. Muckette and Segbers combined in the midfield third before the latter’s deep cross found Rafa Mentzingen unmarked at the far post, who took his volley with one touch to score his first goal of the season.

From there, though, it was all downhill. The Memphis press was no longer effective, with Charlotte easily playing through the midfield. And with Memphis’ center trio all having committed bodies forward, it left the 901 FC back four isolated against onrushing Charlotte attackers. Sloppy play made it too easy for the Independence to get back in the game, and the catalyst for the 16-minute turnaround came from the home team’s Dane Kelly, USL’s all-time leading scorer. Burch just missed his kick on a potential clearance in the 53rd minute, and Kelly pounced to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

In the 59th minute, Hague spilled a shot back into the center of the box and took down the attacker in his rush to reclaim the ball. Just like that, it was 2-2 after the resulting penalty was tucked away. Then, in the 69th minute, fullback Rece Buckmaster misjudged a long ball and Charlotte’s Luke Haakenson latched on to the pass. He beat Hodge all too easily as he cut inside and scored past Hague to make it 3-2 to Charlotte.

The pendulum swung wildly from one extreme to another in this game. If you told me at halftime that Charlotte would be the eventual victor, I’d have said you were crazy. After the first period, Memphis had held its rivals to zero shots on target. Unfortunately, the second half saw the reemergence of defensive frailties that had mostly been tamped down on in recent performances. 901 FC showed over the last month that it possesses the right players to string together some impressive attacking moves, but these kind of defensive showings will undermine any good efforts.

If Burch retains his spot in the side, as captain, it will be his responsibility to marshal the troops when things start to go wrong. Judging by the frailty shown in the second half (coupled with some of the performances from earlier in the restart) the upcoming match against runaway Group G leaders Birmingham Legion will require a strong and vocal leadership presence on the pitch. Memphis shouldn’t have let this lead slip at 2-0, but these things happen in soccer. Now, as always, on to the next.

901 FC travels to face Birmingham Legion this Saturday, August 22.

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Promising Signs for 901 FC In Atlanta Draw

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Atlanta United 2

After a tough return to action in Birmingham, 901 FC had a lot to work on in the next game against Atlanta United 2. In response, the team came firing out of the blocks against a young Atlanta squad. While the game was full of moments that could have swung the result either way, a 2-2 draw meant that Memphis earned its first point of the season.

There are two truths from last Saturday’s performance: the defense still needs work, and our strikers definitely have goals in them this season. On the attacking end, we saw some recognizable patterns of play that should stick around as the season continues. Let’s take a closer look at what worked, and what didn’t, during key plays from the match.

Photo courtesy Atlanta United 2

Memphis’ Liam Doyle wins a header over Atlanta’s Phillip Goodrum

In the first half, Memphis used its superior strength to win both physical and psychological duels with players. Centerback Liam Doyle led the charge with aggressive challenges on Atlanta attackers to win balls near the halfway line. This caused them to hesitate when going into challenges. In the 15th minute, this manifested with Segbers intercepting a ball in the final third and kicking it out to Pierre da Silva on the right wing. Segbers, playing at fullback but traditionally a winger, used his attacking instincts to make a run down the inside right channel into the box. This pulled attention from several members of the Atlanta defense, giving da Silva time and space to pick out a cross to forward Brandon Allen on the far post, which he headed over the bar.

While that pattern didn’t produce a goal, there were several similar instances throughout the game on both flanks with Allen on the end. Those sequences didn’t pay off today, but enough chances and Allen (one of the highest-scoring active players in the USL at the moment) will put them away. He did, however, get the equalizer at 1-1 when nodding in at the back post during a corner kick.

Working the flanks also paid dividends when 901 FC equalized to make it 2-2 in the 93rd minute. University of Memphis alum Raul Gonzalez (making his first appearance for 901 FC after sustaining a season-ending knee injury last pre-season) whipped in a cross off the right flank for new signing Cal Jennings. The substitute forward collected the ball on the edge of the box and took it to the byline, where he cut back and squeezed a shot in at the near post to make it 2-2. When a team has smart forwards like Allen and Jennings, they can take advantage of space in the box in crucial moments, as we saw last Saturday. On another note, Memphis is great at creating shooting chances at the top of the box. Many of these opportunities have been blocked or off target, but eventually, they’ll start to go in.

The defensive side of 901 FC’s game, however, still needs some fine-tuning. The first goal conceded was well worked by Atlanta, but Memphis keeper Jimmy Hague (standing in for Tim Howard) probably should have done a bit better since the shot was directly at him. Atlanta’s second, however, came from poor positioning in the second half. 

Opposing defender Mo Jadama burst forward looking for a pass, and Doyle stepped up to put pressure behind an Atlanta attacker. Fellow centerback Triston Hodge (filling in for the suspended Zach Carroll) stepped up with Doyle, but fullbacks Segbers and Rece Buckmaster both maintained their previous positions, breaking Memphis’ defensive line and allowing Jadama to slip a through-ball to 16-year-old (!) Coleman Gannon. The forward raced into the box, both onside and completely unimpeded, to put Atlanta ahead.

There are other defensive issues to sort out, as well. The defensive line hasn’t been as steady so far this season as it was last year. On the right and left side, both fullbacks occasionally over-commit to aerial balls, leaving attackers swathes of space to charge toward the box. Covering midfielders should be aware of these tendencies and be able to adjust accordingly.  It’s a big ask, but having a vocal presence, either in goal or the backline, will help players be in the right place at the right time.

Still work to be done, but last Saturday’s draw was a much-improved performance after the loss in Birmingham. Getting both strikers on the score sheet is a fantastic lead-in to a trio of games at AutoZone Park. 901 FC’s first home match of the restart is this Saturday against Charlotte Independence, who has yet to play since the USL season resumed. For some live game updates that evening, catch me on twitter: @ciccispizza.

901 FC plays at home against Charlotte Independence this Saturday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m.

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Rough Restart for 901 FC in Birmingham

CREDIT: photo by Eric Glemser

There was always a chance this could happen; with several months of inaction, some teams would surely adapt to the protracted season better than others. While there were some promising signs in Memphis’ 3-0 loss to Birmingham Legion, a sequence of unfortunate errors ultimately doomed 901 FC to a rough road loss. But despite the defeat, Memphis must quickly turn its attention to Saturday’s match in Atlanta.

On paper, the statistics paint a pretty good picture of Memphis’ play. The team held the possession advantage (52 percent), made more passes than Birmingham, and had a significantly higher tackle success rate. In fact, Memphis was superior in almost every statistical facet of play, except for where it mattered: quality chances. Birmingham Legion newcomer Bruno Lapa scored twice on his debut, the opener a volley into the ground that looped over goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the net in the 22nd minute (was it on purpose or a bit of luck? I can’t say).

photo by Eric Glemser

901 FC goalkeeper and part-owner Tim Howard was unhappy with the Memphis defense in Birmingham.

The next two goals conceded were hard to watch from a Memphis perspective. The defense was all at sea in transition, applying minimal pressure as Lapa was played in down the left before making an easy square for Brian Wright to tap home the Legion’s second in the 31st minute.  On the third, centerback Liam Doyle and midfielder Michael Reed both stopped and waited for an offsides flag that would never come. By then, Lapa was in behind to cut in and shoot for his second and Birmingham’s third on 41 minutes. To cap it off, centerback Zach Carroll received a red card for pulling back Wright when the attacker was clean through in the 59th minute.

Coach Tim Mulqueen can’t budget for individual errors like he saw on Wednesday in his game plan, but since going 2-0 up against Indy Eleven in the first game of the season, Memphis has now conceded seven goals without reply. It’s a cause for concern, but the next few games should provide a clearer picture of whether this is a long-term issue. Doyle was imperious after signing for Memphis last season, while fullbacks Mark Segbers and Rece Buckmaster are both new to the squad. Defenses take time to gel properly, but it will have to be quick in the USL’s new format. With Carroll suspended for Saturday’s game against Atlanta United 2, we may see Marc Burch return to the starting XI; his veteran experience should be useful for a disorganized Memphis backline.

photo by Eric Glemser

Centerback Liam Doyle (left) and Howard tussle with Birmingham forward Brian Wright.

On the offensive end, Memphis put only one shot on target. Last year’s top scorer Brandon Allen uncharacteristically blazed over the bar from inside the six-yard box in the first half, while Duane Muckette also blasted high a presentable chance. On a positive note, new signing Cal Jennings came on in place of Allen in the 62nd minute for his first professional appearance. The forward gamely challenged for balls up top, making his presence felt, getting into the box, and holding up play well to bring other runners into the attack. It was a decent cameo for the Central Florida graduate, and has me excited for what he might be able to produce at this level.

The poor performance can hopefully be attributed to a prolonged absence of play for a side still bedding in many new players. But with matches every few days, there’s not a whole lot of time to adjust. Tomorrow, 901 FC visits Atlanta United 2; our opponents are coming off their own loss (2-1 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies), but since they played a man down for almost the entire game, it’s hard to gauge what kind of threat they’ll pose to Memphis. Last season, 901 FC lost its home match against Atlanta 1-0, but won away 2-1.

In other news, AutoZone Park has received approval to allow a limited number of fans back into the stadium for home matches. With proper social distancing and safety regulations, about 1,000 fans should be able to attend matches and cheer on the squad.

Memphis 901 FC plays Atlanta United 2 away on Saturday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Birmingham Legion 3 – 0 Memphis 901 FC highlights can be viewed here

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901 FC Learns Group Opponents for Regular Season Return

CREDIT: photo courtesy Memphis 901 FC

With the United Soccer League (USL) season set to return on July 11, 901 FC learned its placement in the league’s provisional format for the remainder of the 2020 season. Set in Group G, the team will compete against Birmingham Legion, Charlotte Independence, and North Carolina FC.

“This group will be great for our club, our fans, and our supporters as we form strong regional rivalries with these teams,” says 901 FC President Craig Unger. “We are excited to see our full schedule and return to the pitch.”

photo courtesy Memphis 901 FC

Goalkeeper and part-owner Tim Howard gives instructions during the season opener against Indy Eleven

The new USL format sees teams separated into eight groups based on region. Each squad will play a total of 16 regular season matches, including matches played before the league was suspended on March 12th. Factoring in the season opener against Indy Eleven, Memphis will play only 15 more regular season games. That means 901 FC will face off with each team in its group four times for its first 12 games. The remaining three matches, according to the USL, will be played against “teams that fall within a similar geographic region” (this is speculation only, but potential matchups for these games could include Saint Louis FC, Atlanta United 2, or Louisville City FC).

Schedules will be balanced to feature eight home and away games, but that may change for some organizations based on venue availability due to COVID-19. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs, with group winners paired against runners-up in the round of 16.

The rest of the regular season will be played over a 13-week span set to conclude on the weekend of October 2nd-4th. The USL is expected to release a full schedule with dates and times in the next few weeks.

In addition to the group format, the return to play will feature some temporary rule changes. The number of available substitutions per match jumps from three to five, although coaches will have only three opportunities to make their five substitutions (a halftime sub will not count against total opportunities).

901 FC’s Group G opponents finished above Memphis in the 2019 Eastern Conference standings:

7. North Carolina FC (56 points)

10. Birmingham Legion FC (43 points)

13. Charlotte Independence (38 points)

15. Memphis 901 FC (34 points)

In head-to-head matchups, Memphis came away with two draws and four losses. However, each loss was by only a single goal.

Before the season was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, Memphis showed positive signs in a 2-4 home loss to Indy Eleven.



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Defending Memphis: Memphis 901 FC Gears Up for Opening Weekend.

CREDIT: Bryan Rollins

The Bluff City gave a very Memphis welcome to its new soccer team, teasing players with a hint of sun before throwing severe wind-chill and a week-long thunderstorm at them. If that made the first month of a preseason a bit of a grind, well, all the better for helping the athletes acclimate to the city’s sporting culture.

Turn on the TV to NBC Sports, ESPN, or even TNT to see the growth the soccer phenomenon has been enjoying. Local bars like The Brass Door and Celtic Crossing have provided spaces to watch games, but Memphis needed a bigger outlet for its soccer fandom. Two members of the Redbirds ownership group were happy to oblige.

Bryan Rollins

Memphis 901 FC

Peter Freund and Craig Unger are part of Trinity Sports Holdings, whose portfolio includes interests in the New York Yankees, Memphis Redbirds, 901 FC, and recently Dagenham & Redbridge FC, a soccer club in East London. Since the Redbirds season ended last year, the two have been working hard to ensure that all the necessary infrastructure is in place for a soccer team. Recently branded Memphis 901 FC, the team will play in the United Soccer League (USL).

Unger, the organization’s president, started by hiring sporting director Andrew Bell, a league veteran who led the Charleston Battery to the USL championship in 2012. That appointment aligned with Unger’s goal of aiming high in the team’s first season. “We want to win the USL Championship,” says Unger. “Crazier things can happen, even in year one. But our immediate goal is to reach the playoffs.” In addition to a regular league season, USL teams are also entered in the U.S. Open Cup, which will see occasional clashes with Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, the highest level of the sport in America.

While Freund and Unger already had extensive experience running a sports franchise, they needed someone familiar with the soccer landscape to be part of the leadership group. Luckily, one of Memphis’ own fit the bill. Nicknamed “Superman” or “Captain America” after his heroics for the United States at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Tim Howard has called Memphis home since the early 2000s. The goalkeeper, who plans to retire at the end of his upcoming MLS season with the Colorado Rapids, heard about talks for a Memphis team early on and approached Freund about becoming a part-owner. Howard’s name brings instant credibility to the organization.

Finding the right coach goes a long way to ensuring success, and the candidate chosen for the position has his own history with Howard. Tim Mulqueen showed his eye for talent when he discovered Howard at a clinic in New Jersey and has been a mentor ever since. Howard believes Mulqueen has the right mentality to make the team successful in its first season. “Tim is tough, a great man-manager, and knows soccer inside and out,” Howard says.

Mulqueen is essentially working with a group of strangers for the first time, but he’s excited. “Their effort, their commitment to getting better and getting to know each other has been tremendous,” says Mulqueen. “We’re a good team, and with the effort and commitment the guys are putting in, we can’t help but get better.”

With Terminix recently announced as the shirt sponsor and several preseason skirmishes with other USL teams under its belt, the organization and Memphis are counting down the days until kick-off. When the Tampa Bay Rowdies arrive for opening day this Saturday, March 9th, both the players and crowd will be ready to match the 901 FC’s motto to “Defend Memphis.”