As players new and returning poured in for the official start of preseason training. The coaching staff handed players their welcome packets and manuals, the cover of which read ‘2024 – All In”.
It’s a theme the front office emphasized as soon as the offseason started after last season’s finale in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal loss on penalties. Head Coach Stephen Glass and Assistant Sporting Director along with Sporting Director Tim Howard began a search across the globe for pieces to complete an improved roster. A squad that matches the culture of the club and the city it calls home.
“That’s key to the player. Memphis wants to see a team that will roll their sleeves up and fight and play,” Sewell said. “They equally want to see a group of men in the community being mentors for the next generation of kids.”
The result saw the retention of proven contributors like Luiz Fernando, Nighte Pickering and Akeem Ward, as well as the additions of league veterans like Marlon Santos and Oscar Jimenez. The acquisition of young, bright talent was also an emphasis as the club brought in players like Noe Meza, AB Cissoko and Zac Duncan, who joins the Beale Street Boys as a former Australian international standout from the Danish Super League.
The box-to-box midfielder will look to connect with the strong attack Memphis in which has built their success in the past.
“It’s a bit of a culture shock,” he said. “It’s different than what I’m used to but it’s good so far. The boys are nice and have welcomed me in. It feels like I’m a new player. I’m enjoying everything so far. Training has been good and intense. I think I’m driving in that mode.”
The culture stands as a launching pad to the club’s goals for 2024 and beyond. Forward Nighte Pickering is one of the longest-tenured on the roster entering his third season despite being the youngest at age 19 and says he’s been eager to bring along new players on the roster throughout the club’s strong preseason. 901 FC was unbeaten in four preseason with two impressive showings at Nashville SC and Atlanta United, where Pickering scored on his first touch.
“I feel like almost one of the more veteran players here because I’ve been around these ends and been part of the team. I know the style,” Pickering said.
“You’re losing a few guys and bringing in new guys so you don’t know what to expect with new faces and new names. We’ve been doing well keeping that culture going with that chip on the shoulder that we always have here. We have players that want to fight for the team and want to work and are willing to work for the result and not just have it handed to them.”
At the center of it all stands the man that’s been with the Beale Street Boys since the beginning, Leston Paul. Positioning himself in the center of the pitch and the center of the roster in the locker room, the team captain enters his 11th season as a pro having just signed a contract extension with 901 FC over the winter.
The 33-year-old midfielder returns on a player contract through 2025 and will shadow Head Coach Stephen Glass and Assistant Coach Caleb-Patterson Sewell, observing what it takes to be a high-level coach.
“The most important thing is making sure the players are happy and comfortable. That’s my goal,” said Paul. “We have a great group of guys and personally I would always value having good people around. (Coach Glass) and Coach Caleb will take care of the tactical side, that’s their job. But for me, I’m just making sure the guys are on board, they’re bought in and here for one purpose and that’s to win.”
Paul has pointed out viewing the game from a different perspective while working with the coaching staff has already opened things up.
Glass, who’s coached on multiple levels from the Scottish Premiership to MLS before moving to Memphis in 2023, said he’s happy to help Paul make that transition as seamless as possible when he hangs the cleats up.
The club found success in the Scotsman’s first year as the boss, riding a 12-match unbeaten streak into a top-4 Eastern Conference finish. The Beale Street Boys move to the Western Conference and Glass looks to improve upon that with a playoff run.
“We want them to know that we’re here and we’re proud to represent the city,” Glass said. “I think people will see that when they see us play.”
The Beale Street Boys will look to show that as they open the 2024 regular season against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. CT at AutoZone Park. Single Match Tickets are available now.
