Memphis 901 FC is back at AutoZone Park for regular season match number two after an electrifying come-from-behind victory over Las Vegas in the season opener.
The Beale Street Boys will look for their six-point start on Saturday as they host Indy Eleven for the two clubs’ 12th meeting. Memphis has been strong against Indy as the club is unbeaten in the last eight meetings with the Hoosier State squad with five victories and three draws going back to March of 2020.
Memphis carries the momentum coming into the match after a first-half rally saw them topple the new-look Las Vegas Lights on opening weekend. After conceding in the 22nd minute, 901 FC answered swiftly and confidently with goals from Samuel Careaga and Nighte Pickering.
“The team looked like it had some real fight in it,” said Head Coach Stephen Glass after the victory. “They looked like they weren’t going to accept falling behind. We pushed and looked like we could’ve scored three or four in the first half alone. You take your knocks but it always felt like the boys had it in them today.”
Pickering’s goal was awarded USL Championship Goal of the Week while the forward earned a Team of the Week nod along with defender Akeem Ward, who wore the captain’s armband to open the season.
“Overall it’s just a good game from the guys,” Pickering said. “Going down 1-0 isn’t the best situation but we showed in the first half the fight to come back and take the lead. In the second half, holding onto the lead is hard. They’re putting a lot of pressure on us but we dealt with it well, creating more chances that we could’ve finished the game with. Overall a good game.”
Indy dropped their season opener to Oakland Roots SC 2-1 despite Team of the Week performances from Jack Blake and Younes Boudadi. Boudadi assisted on Blake’s goal while Blake had six shots and 10 duels won.
Kickoff for the Saturday match is set for 3 p.m. CT. Tickets are available now on memphis901fc.com. Fans can purchase tickets in Section 119, the Cancer Kickers Soccer Club section, with a portion of each single game ticket sold going to help the children on Cancer Kickers.
Back to Familiar Foes
Memphis kicked off their first USL Championship Western Conference campaign with a comeback victory over Las Vegas, but will be back to familiar foes with an Eastern Conference opponent this week.
901 FC has been strong against Indy Eleven as the Beale Street Boys are unbeaten in the last nine meetings going back to March of 2020.
Starting off on the Left Foot
Nighte Pickering caught the USL world by storm last week with his left-footed go-ahead strike from 25 yards out. The score was nominated for USL Championship Goal of the Week and marks the first in what the young striker hopes to be a breakout season in his third year as a pro.
“As a forward, you play off of confidence,” he said. “So getting a goal early, you play with a lot of confidence and it builds up.”
The now 19-year-old scored five goals with four assists across all competitions last season and will look to start regularly and pile on more in 2024.
Dominant Debut from Down Under
Midfielder Zac Duncan was everywhere in his Memphis 901 FC debut on Saturday, tallying seven interceptions, eight crosses and nine duels won. The Aussie standout joined the club ahead of the season looking to fill the void of a box-to-box midfielder alongside Emerson Hyndman and Bruno Lapa.
“He’s everything we expected coming from the league he’s coming from,” Stephen Glass said. “It’s a great pedigree in the first place, but it doesn’t always translate to when you get on the grass. We’re delighted in what we’re seeing. He gets around the pitch, he’s quick and likes to tackle. I think people are going to like what they see when they watch him.”
Warding off the Attackers
Akeem Ward was named to the Team of the Week honorable mention list alongside Nighte Pickering after a strong performance in the season opener. The defender donned the captain’s armband before winning nine of 12 duels and five of five tackles.
Ward made 37 starts in 38 appearances for Memphis in 2023 with three goals and three assists while leading the club in tackles won and crosses.
Neco Brett Reaches 200
Neco Brett became the 37th player in USL Championship history to reach 200 regular season appearances when he came on as a second-half substitute in the Saturday’s season opener.
