Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC will head west to face Oakland Roots SC in the first road match of the season on Saturday, March 25 at 9 p.m. CT.
The Beale St. Boys are traveling to Oakland for the first time looking to earn their first wins and first points in the 2023 regular season. Memphis will have a new face in the traveling party after the Monday signing of former USMNT and MLS goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who will be available for selection in Saturday’s match.
Memphis will try to continue their good form against Western Conference teams in 2023 as the club was undefeated in interconference matches in 2022 with a 6-0-2 record. 901 FC was the only club with a spotless interconference record last season.
Memphis is coming off of a 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last Saturday with Bruno Lapa scoring his first goal with Memphis 901 FC. With the score, Lapa has accounted for goals in his first two after assisting Laurent Kissiedou’s goal in the season opener.
Kissiedou will be available for selection after serving a one-game red card suspension.
Oakland played to a draw with Rio Grande Valley FC with a goal from Johnathan Rodriguez in the 82nd minute to move to 0-1-1 on the season.
Saturday’s match is set for a 9 p.m. CT kickoff. Fans can watch the match nationally on ESPN+ and WMC 5.2 locally.
Quotables
“We’ve seen Oakland play last week. It’s going to be their home opener, so it will be an intense atmosphere. It will play into the boys hands well, hopefully, with a big atmosphere. I think the group were underdogs a lot last year and responded well to that. It’s a different animal this year when you’ve got a target on your back. It’s a different mindset and we’ve got to find it quickly.” – Stephen Glass
“It feels immense for the city and for the club. We made some really good moves in the offseason we feel good about, bringing back most of the nucleus of the team. (Hamid’s signing) is another addition of what we’re trying to build here under Stephen Glass.” – Tim Howard
“In Memphis there is an ambitious club, in a great market, with a solid team and staff. I cherish the chance to come to Memphis and earn the right to play on a team who did really well last season.” – Bill Hamid
“As competitors, our expectation is to win the league… I look forward to being a leader for this team. My immediate goal is to help make this team better.” – Bill Hamid
Heading out West
Last time the two club’s faced off, Memphis grabbed three points and their first win of the season at AutoZone Park on March 19, 2022 thanks to goals from Aaron Molloy and defender Patrick Seagrist. 901 FC will look to secure their first win of the season on Saturday at Laney Football Stadium.
Beast in the East
Memphis 901 FC was undefeated against Western Conference Teams in 2022 with a 6-0-2 record on its way to the best regular season in club history. 901 FC was the only club in the USL Championship to post an undefeated record in interconference play.
Instant Impact
901 FC signed star midfielder Bruno Lapa to add to their deep attack in the offseason and it’s payed off through 180 minutes. In two matches donning the Memphis badge, Lapa has already had a hand in two goals assisting Laurent Kissiedou and scoring his own against Pittsburgh in the first 10 minutes of the match.
