Wikipedia

2020 Memphis 901 FC season

The 2020 Memphis 901 FC season was the second season for Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship (USLC), the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.[1] The regular season was originally scheduled to be played between March 6 and October 17 with a 10-team playoff between October 21 and November 16.[2] USL suspended operations on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in a limited capacity on July 11; the regular season was shortened to 16 matches and played in regional groups.

Memphis 901 FC
2020 season
Head coachTim Mulqueen
(until September 15)
Ben Pirmann, interim
(since September 15)
StadiumAutoZone Park
Memphis, Tennessee
USLGroup G: 4th
Conference: 11th
USL PlayoffsDid not qualify
2020 U.S. Open CupCancelled
Top goalscorerCal Jennings (9)
Highest home attendance8,571 (March 7 v. IND)
Lowest home attendance901 (Aug 8 v. NC)
901 (Oct 3 v. BHM)
Average home league attendance3,458
Biggest winCLT 1–3 MEM (Sept. 26)
MEM 3–1 BHM (Oct. 3)
Biggest defeatBHM 3–0 MEM (July 15)
LOU 4–1 MEM (Sept. 19)
← 2019
2021 →

Season in review edit

Background, off-season and pre-season edit

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 edit

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 COVID-19 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 29 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 23 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 edit

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 23 match, leaving both clubs with fifteen played matches.[42]

Roster edit

As of October 6, 2020[43]
No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Tim Howard   United States
2 DF Mark Segbers   United States
3 DF Zach Carroll   United States
4 DF Liam Doyle   England
5 DF Triston Hodge (on loan from W Connection)   Trinidad and Tobago
6 MF Dan Metzger   United States
7 MF Raul Gonzalez   United States
8 DF Marc Burch   United States
9 FW Keanu Marsh-Brown   Guyana
10 MF Jean-Christophe Koffi   Ivory Coast
11 FW Pierre da Silva   United States
12 GK Jimmy Hague   United States
14 MF Rafael Mentzingen   Brazil
15 DF Jackson Morse   United States
16 MF Tommy McCabe   United States
17 MF Michael Reed   United States
19 DF Rece Buckmaster   United States
20 MF Jose Baxter   England
21 MF Duane Muckette   Trinidad and Tobago
23 MF Leston Paul   Trinidad and Tobago
24 DF Jacob Hauser-Ramsey   United States
25 GK Jim Barkei   United States
26 FW Cal Jennings   United States
29 FW Brandon Allen   United States
70 FW Matt Hundley   United States

Competitions edit

Exhibitions edit

February 8 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
February 22 Preseason 2 Memphis 901 FC 3–1 Forward Madison FC Birmingham, AL
4:00 PM CST
Report
Stadium: Goldfarb Field
February 23 Preseason 3 Birmingham-Southern College v Memphis 901 FC Birmingham, AL
TBD PM CST Stadium: Goldfarb Field
February 29 Preseason 4 Memphis 901 FC 1–0 Memphis Tigers Memphis, TN
6:00 PM CST Hundley   71' Report Stadium: AutoZone Park

USL Championship edit

Main article: 2020 USL Championship season

Standings — Group G edit

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
Source: USL

Match results edit

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]

March 7 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
July 15 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
July 18 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
July 25 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
August 1 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
August 8 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
August 15 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
August 22 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
August 29 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]
September 2 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
September 5 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
September 10 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 August 29 match.[47]
September 13 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 September 12.[47]
September 19 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
September 23 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]
September 26 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
October 3 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 edit

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.[48]

April 8 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 the COVID-19 pandemic[49]

Statistics edit

As of October 6, 2020 Source: Memphis901FC.com[50]

Numbers after plus-sign(+) denote appearances as a substitute.

Appearances and goals edit

No. Pos Nat Player Total USL Championship Regular Season Playoffs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
21 MF   TRI Duane Muckette 15 0 11+4 0 0 0
29 FW   USA Brandon Allen 15 3 9+6 3 0 0
19 DF   USA Rece Buckmaster 14 1 14+0 1 0 0
23 MF   TRI Leston Paul 14 0 10+4 0 0 0
26 FW   USA Cal Jennings 14 9 6+8 9 0 0
9 FW   GUY Keanu Marsh-Brown 13 3 12+1 3 0 0
3 DF   USA Zach Carroll 13 1 11+2 1 0 0
14 MF   BRA Rafael Mentzingen 13 3 8+5 3 0 0
17 MF   USA Michael Reed 12 2 7+5 2 0 0
2 DF   USA Mark Segbers 10 1 10+0 1 0 0
5 DF   TRI Triston Hodge 10 0 9+1 0 0 0
10 MF   CIV Jean-Christophe Koffi 10 0 8+2 0 0 0
70 FW   USA Matt Hundley 10 2 2+8 2 0 0
12 GK   USA Jimmy Hague 9 0 9+0 0 0 0
8 DF   USA Marc Burch 8 0 7+1 0 0 0
20 MF   ENG Jose Baxter 8 1 6+2 1 0 0
4 DF   Isle of Man Liam Doyle 8 0 6+2 0 0 0
16 MF   USA Tommy McCabe 7 0 7+0 0 0 0
7 MF   USA Raul Gonzalez 7 0 3+4 0 0 0
1 GK   USA Tim Howard 6 0 6+0 0 0 0
11 FW   USA Pierre da Silva 4 0 3+1 0 0 0
6 MF   USA Dan Metzger 4 0 1+3 0 0 0
24 DF   USA Jacob Hauser-Ramsey 3 0 1+2 0 0 0

References edit

  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. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. 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. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  12. ^ "Guyanese International Signs with Memphis 901 FC". January 17, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  13. ^ "Memphis 901 FC Inks Jimmy Hague". January 28, 2020. Archived from the original on 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. ^ "901 FC Earns Draw Against Group-Leading Birmingham". Memphis901FC.com. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "Memphis 901 FC Match at North Carolina FC Postponed". August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Luke Haakenson Goal Lifts Charlotte Independence to Spirited 2-0 Win vs. Memphis 901 FC". CharlotteIndependence.com. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  33. ^ "Memphis Takes One Point Against Group Leader". Memphis901FC.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  34. ^ "Memphis Reschedules Matches Against North Carolina FC". Memphis901FC.com. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  35. ^ "Matt Hundley Scores in Stoppage Time to Give Memphis the Win". Memphis901FC.com. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  36. ^ "Memphis Gives Up Two-Goal Lead North Carolina". Memphis901FC.com. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  37. ^ "Memphis 901 FC Dismisses Head Coach Tim Mulqueen". Memphis901FC.com. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  38. ^ "901 FC Falls 4-1 in Louisville". Memphis901FC.com. September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  39. ^ a b "Match Against North Carolina FC Postponed". Memphis901FC.com. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  40. ^ "901 FC Defeats Charlotte & Wins Fans Free Chick-Fil-A". Memphic901FC.com. September 26, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  41. ^ "Memphis Ends Season on High Note". Memphis901FC.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  42. ^ "RGVFC Match Against Tulsa Postponed". USLChampionship.com. September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  43. ^ "2020 Team Roster". Memphis 901 FC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  44. ^ "Memphis 901 FC To Host Indy Eleven In 2020 Home Opener". Memphis 901 FC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  45. ^ "Memphis 901 FC Releases Return To Play Schedule". memphis901fc.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  46. ^ "Saturday's NCFC home match with Memphis 901 postponed". August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  47. ^ a b "North Carolina FC Matches Against Memphis 901 FC Rescheduled". September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  48. ^ "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.
  49. ^ "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.
  50. ^ "2020 Statistics". Retrieved October 6, 2020.
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