Memphis, Tenn. – Currently tied for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings, Memphis 901 FC looks to bolster their place in the table as they play host to Loudoun United on Wednesday, August 31 at AutoZone Park at 7 p.m. CT.
Memphis stands at 16-6-3 on the season after a 4-2 loss to Birmingham Legion FC, four points behind No. 1 Louisville City FC and lockstep with the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 51 points with nine matches remaining in the regular season.
Loudoun currently sits in 11th place in the eastern conference standings with a 6-16-3 record, 21 points out of playoff contention. The club has earned six points in their last five matches with a 2-3-0 record.
Memphis will look to capitalize on the offensive end as Loudoun has given up 50 goals this season, fourth most in the league for goals conceded, averaging 2.0 goals against per match. Loudoun also sits at fourth in the league in passing accuracy at 81%.
901 FC came out on top in the two clubs’ first meeting this season with a 3-0 victory at Segra Field on May 22. Loudoun held the majority of possession at 65.2%, however Memphis was able to capitalize in the attacking third with seven shots on target, with three hitting the back of the net.
Wednesday’s match kicks off another stretch of three matches in eight days as Memphis 901 FC pushes for playoff position.
Quotables
“We’ve got to go three games in eight days again. We’ve got to have certain guys improve fitness and make sure everyone is available for selection. We’ve got to continue to work. When things aren’t going our way we have to do a better job of keeping it and making them suffer. We’ve got to make sure we’re fighting and scrapping. We’re home against Loudoun, then at the champions Orange County and at Atlanta. That Atlanta game, again we’re going to be tired and sore so we’ve got to make sure we’re ready to go.” – 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.The battle at the top of the Eastern Conference has only intensified entering the final stretch of the season. 901 FC sits at second in the Eastern Conference with nine matches remaining in the regular season, including a September 23 rematch against No. 1 Louisville City FC.
Setting the Tone…
Forward Luiz Fernando has been on a tear during the month of August with a three-match goal scoring streak. The Brazilian international has a chance to match Phillip Goodrum’s four-game streak earlier this season from July 10 to August 4. All three of Fernando’s goals during this streak have opened scoring.
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 14 goals this season, the fourth most in the USL Championship. Memphis is unbeaten in 12 of the 13 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.
Goals Scored Leaderboard:
1 – Milan Iloski – 19
2 – Hadji Barry – 16
3 – Ottar Magnus Karlsson – 15
4 – Phillip Goodrum – 14
T5 – Augustine Williams – 13
The Distributors…
Memphis 901 FC boasts one of the league’s most dynamic duos in the midfield with Aaron Molloy and Jeremy Kelly. Molloy has made his hay as the squad’s primary kicktaker, leading the USL with 10 assists. Kelly has been at the center of the 901 FC attack since moving from the back line this season, currently tied four fourth most assists in the USL with eight. 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 – Aaron Molloy – 10
T2 – Cameron Lindley – 9
T2 – Kenardo Forbes – 9
T4 – Jeremy Kelly – 8
T4 – Antonie Hoppenot – 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 10 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 53 this season.
