Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC’s road trip continues with a midweek trip to New Mexico United on Wednesday, August 17 as the club looks to extend their win streak to four.
Memphis moved to 15-5-3 after defeating Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2-0 on Saturday night in a comprehensive team victory featuring goals from Luiz Fernando and Aaron Molloy.
Enjoying their best season in club history, 901 FC jumped back to the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings after earning three points in Pittsburgh. 901 FC looks to add another three points in the second of three matches in the span of a week at New Mexico.
New Mexico currently sits in the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings and have shown a 1-2-2 record in their last five matches, most recently coming out with a 2-2 draw against LA Galaxy II. New Mexico is 3-3-5 in home matches this season while 901 FC is 6-2-3 on the road.
Wednesday’s matchup is 901 FC’s second in a run of three top-4 matches in eight days. Memphis will need to find the back of the net quickly and often in order to hold onto a top three spot in the eastern conference.
This matchup between Memphis and New Mexico marks the first ever meeting between the two clubs as both jockey for playoff positioning as the end of the regular season approaches.
Quotables
“It’s 100% recovery. We’ve got to make sure the medical staff and everyone does a good job getting ourselves ready. We’re out of our hotel tomorrow at 3 a.m. These things aren’t ideal, but that’s what football is about. We have to make sure we’re focused on recovery. We have to make sure we’re ready for New Mexico because they’re flying. They’ve got a very good team and are pushing to get that home playoff match. We’ve got to go into one of the toughest places in the country to go get a result.” – Ben Pirmann
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 five losses in 23 matches played. The battle at the top of the Eastern Conference has only intensified entering the second half of the season. 901 FC sits at second in the Eastern Conference with 11 matches remaining in the regular season, including a September 23 rematch against Louisville City FC.
#DefendMemphis…
Memphis 901 FC have defended AutoZone Park with only three losses in their 12 matches at home. The Boys in Blue managed a six-match home winning streak going back to May 14 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 13 goals this season, currently tied for forth in the USL Championship. Memphis is unbeaten in 11 of the 12 matches Goodrum has 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. Goodrum has scored goals in his last four appearances.
Goals Scored Leaderboard:
1 – Milan Iloski – 18
2 – Ottar Magnus Karlsson – 15
T2 – Hadji Barry – 15
T4 – Phillip Goodrum – 13
T4 – Augustine Williams – 13
The Distributors…
Memphis 901 FC boasts one of the most dynamic duo of midfielders in the USL Championship with both Jeremy Kelly and Aaron Molloy tied at second in the league with eight assists apiece. Molloy has made his hay as the squad’s primary kicktaker, picking up seven Team of the Week nods this season. Kelly has been at the center of the 901 FC attack since moving from the back line this season. 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:
1 – Cameron Lindley – 9
T2 – Aaron Molloy – 8
T2 – Jeremy Kelly – 8
T2 – Hadji Barry – 8
T2 – Kenardo Forbes – 8
Set Piece Superstar…
Aaron Molloy has made his name as one of the most dangerous legs from the set piece in the USL Championship. Seven of the midfielder’s eight 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 on March 19. Molloy is currently ranked sixth in chances created with 47 this season.
Let the Kid Cook…
Seventeen-year-old international Nighte Pickering already made history as the club’s youngest professional signing ever on August 6, but it wasn’t the young forward’s highlight of the week. Pickering made his debut in Saturday’s match vs. Hartford Athletic, coming on as a substitution in the second half before notching his first career goal on a Sportscenter Top-10 worthy bicycle kick that sealed a 3-1 victory.
