Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC hosts Louisville City FC in a marquee matchup of the top two clubs in the Eastern Conference on Saturday at AutoZone Park.
Memphis 901 FC returned home with a big win against Phoenix Rising FC last time out, taking the three points with a 3-1 victory. 901 FC looks to extend their home win streak and take back the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings in the No.1 vs No.2 match up this Saturday night.
Memphis holds the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings after defeating Phoenix. With one point separating Memphis and Louisville, Saturday’s match is pivotal for both sides.
This Saturday marks the first match of the season between 901 FC and Lou City. Memphis notched their first win over Louisville last season, taking the match 2-1 at AutoZone Park.
Louisville currently sits atop the Eastern Conference after a four-match win streak recently capped by a 6-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II last saturday. Lou City leads the league in both expected goals and expected goals against.
901 FC logged their sixth consecutive win at home, outshooting rising 18-15 and leading with 10 shots on target to Phoenix’s five.
Memphis scored its first goal in the 29th minute as Luiz Fernando sent a ball across to the middle of the box to a waiting Phillip Goodrum, tallying his 10th goal of the season and 901 FC’s 12th goal in the first 30 minutes of a match.
Five minutes later, defender Rece Buckmaster notched his first goal of the season after sending ball into Jeremy Kelly, who one-touched the ball back to buckmaster, before nailing the ball to the back of the net. Buckmaster would earn USL Championship Team of the Week honors for his two-way performance in the match.
901 FC added their third and final goal in the 86th minute with another Aaron Molloy to Graham Smith connection off a set piece. Smith headed the ball into the top left corner, solidifying the Memphis win.
Memphis moved to 12-4-2 on the season with the win, keeping the race tight between the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Quotables
“We’ve just got to keep going. It’s a massive evening for this club and this community and the players in this locker room so we want to put every ounce of energy in the preparation then go from there.” – Ben Pirmann
“It’s a huge game. They’re coming to our house and we want this to be our fortress. We’ve just got to come out with that ruthless attacking mindset and be on the front foot the whole game. It’s going to be a huge game and we’re just hopeful the fanbase can get behind us like always.” – Phillip Goodrum
History in the Making..
Memphis 901 FC is currently enjoying their best season since its start in the Bluff City in 2019. After a playoff appearance last season, the club has established itself as a title contender with only four losses in 18 games played. The battle at the top of the Eastern Conference has only intensified entering the second half of the season with Louisville City FC only one point ahead of 901 FC coming into this week’s matchup.
#DefendMemphis…
Memphis 901 FC have defended AutoZone Park with only two losses in their nine matches at home. The Boys in Blue are currently on a six-match home winning streak while averaging 3.60 goals per match and +14 goal differential, puting 901 FC in the top three in both categories in the league.
The Race for the Golden Boot…
Phillip Goodrum has been the jetfuel as the man up top for one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league. The forward has netted 10 goals this season, currently tied for fourth in the USL Championship. Memphis is unbeaten in the nine matches Goodrum found the back of the net including a 5-2 statement victory on June 5 when he scored two goals against his former club ATL United 2.
Goals Scored Leaderboard:
1 – Ottar Magnus Karlsson – 13
2 – Milan Iloski – 12
3 – Preston Judd – 11
T4 – Phillip Goodrum – 10
T4 – Hadji Barry – 10
The Distributor…
Midfielder Jeremy Kelly has been at the center of the 901 FC attack since moving from the back line this season, tied for the league lead with seven assists in 18 appearances. Kelly was tabbed as the USL Championship Player of the Month in May after a stretch of three goals and three assists in four victories for 901 FC.
Assists Leaderboard:
T1 – Jeremy Kelly – 7
T1 – Kenardo Forbes – 7
T3 – Hadji Barry – 6
T3 – Hugh Alexander Dixon – 6
T3 – Cameron Lindsey – 6
Set Piece Superstar…
Aaron Molloy has made his name as one of the most dangerous legs from the set piece in the USL Championship. All five of the midfielder’s assists this season have come off of the set piece, but not before scoring his first goal of the season on a free kick strike from 20 feet out against Oakland Roots. Molloy is currently ranked ninth in chances created with 31 this season and tied for 10th with his five assists.
