CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 3 Memphis 901 FC (14-10-8, 50 points–Central) will match up with the No. 2 Charlotte Independence (18-9-5, 59 points–Atlantic) in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, Presented by Twin Spires. In its first postseason appearances, Memphis 901 FC will look to prevent the Charlotte Independence from claiming their own inaugural playoff victory.
Memphis wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 win over Indy Eleven at AutoZone Park last Saturday. In its most effective season of existence, Memphis 901 FC set club records in goals (47), wins (14) and points (50). 901 FC opened the match with an early score from forward Roland Lamah in the 12’ before Memphis added on to its lead with a Kyle Murphy goal in the 32’—his 20th of the season—and a perfectly chipped goal from midfielder Dre Fortune in the 56’. Goalkeeper Brady Scott and the defense would go on to earn the eighth clean sheet of the season and the win.
Memphis 901 FC ended its regular season on a remarkable run—claiming five wins in its final eight matches and maintaining a goal differential of plus-12 in those victories. 901 FC are led by forward Kyle Murphy whose 20 regular-season goals shattered Brandon Allen’s previous record 10 (2019) and tied the record for most goals in a single regular season in the history of professional soccer in Tennessee. Defensively, Mark Segbers has proven to be key in Memphis’ nine clean sheets along with a combination of four unique goalkeepers—all earning Team of the Week honors—over the course of the year.
For Charlotte, the Independence have confirmed its best regular season of its seven-year existence with a second-place finish in a competitive Atlantic Division. Charlotte field a highly effective offense with the third best conversion rate in the USL Championship behind the fourth most goals in the league. Just as successful on the other side of the ball, Charlotte have accumulated the third most clean sheets in the league and the fifth fewest goals allowed on the year. Individually, the Independence are led by 11 goals apiece from forwards Dane Kelly and Irvin Parra while defensively, the backline has been bolstered by the addition of Premier League champion Christian Fuchs on loan from MLS’ Charlotte FC.
Memphis and Charlotte have met six times between 2019 and 2020. The Independence hold a 4-1-1 advantage over Memphis in those six meetings, and the two have not met since Memphis escaped Charlotte with a 3-1 win on Sept. 26, 2020.
The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. CT at American Legion Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and CW 30 Memphis. Should Memphis earn the victory, 901 FC would advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face either No. 1 Louisville City FC (Central) or No. 4 the Miami FC (Atlantic) on the road.
For the latest information on the team, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 3 Memphis 901 FC (14-10-8, 50 points–Central) will match up with the No. 2 Charlotte Independence (18-9-5, 59 points–Atlantic) in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, Presented by Twin Spires. In its first postseason appearances, Memphis 901 FC will look to prevent the Charlotte Independence from claiming their own inaugural playoff victory.
Memphis wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 win over Indy Eleven at AutoZone Park last Saturday. In its most effective season of existence, Memphis 901 FC set club records in goals (47), wins (14) and points (50). 901 FC opened the match with an early score from forward Roland Lamah in the 12’ before Memphis added on to its lead with a Kyle Murphy goal in the 32’—his 20th of the season—and a perfectly chipped goal from midfielder Dre Fortune in the 56’. Goalkeeper Brady Scott and the defense would go on to earn the eighth clean sheet of the season and the win.
Memphis 901 FC ended its regular season on a remarkable run—claiming five wins in its final eight matches and maintaining a goal differential of plus-12 in those victories. 901 FC are led by forward Kyle Murphy whose 20 regular-season goals shattered Brandon Allen’s previous record 10 (2019) and tied the record for most goals in a single regular season in the history of professional soccer in Tennessee. Defensively, Mark Segbers has proven to be key in Memphis’ nine clean sheets along with a combination of four unique goalkeepers—all earning Team of the Week honors—over the course of the year.
For Charlotte, the Independence have confirmed its best regular season of its seven-year existence with a second-place finish in a competitive Atlantic Division. Charlotte field a highly effective offense with the third best conversion rate in the USL Championship behind the fourth most goals in the league. Just as successful on the other side of the ball, Charlotte have accumulated the third most clean sheets in the league and the fifth fewest goals allowed on the year. Individually, the Independence are led by 11 goals apiece from forwards Dane Kelly and Irvin Parra while defensively, the backline has been bolstered by the addition of Premier League champion Christian Fuchs on loan from MLS’ Charlotte FC.
Memphis and Charlotte have met six times between 2019 and 2020. The Independence hold a 4-1-1 advantage over Memphis in those six meetings, and the two have not met since Memphis escaped Charlotte with a 3-1 win on Sept. 26, 2020.
The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. CT at American Legion Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and CW 30 Memphis. Should Memphis earn the victory, 901 FC would advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face either No. 1 Louisville City FC (Central) or No. 4 the Miami FC (Atlantic) on the road.
For the latest information on the team, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
