Memphis 901 FC midfielder Zac Duncan joins host Pete Pranica to discuss his soccer career from the Australian National Team to playing in Denmark and why he chose to sign with Memphis. Get 901 FC tickets at memphis901fc.com/tickets.
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Building the Culture: 901 FC Opens 2024 Season with Eyes on the Main Prize
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.
Memphis vs. Everybody: The 901 FC Podcast S2 E3
Head Coach Stephen Glass joins host Pete Pranica to discuss the new-look roster and thoughts on the club after a strong preseason.
The Beale Street Boys open the 2024 regular season on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. CT at AutoZone Park. Season Packages and Single Game Tickets are available now on the club website.
2024, All In — The 901 FC Podcast S2 E2
901 FC Assistant Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell joins host Pete Pranica to dive into offseason recruiting strategies and expectations for new players in 2024.
Memphis 901 FC kicks off the regular season on March 9 at home against Las Vegas Lights FC. Tickets are available at the club’s official website.
Bringing it Together: 901 FC Prepares for Regular Season with Bluff City Friendly at University of Memphis
Putting on a show in front of hometown fans was a hallmark of Head Coach Stephen Glass’ Memphis 901 FC team throughout the 2023 season, and the club will get their first chance to do so in 2024 when they face the University of Memphis in a friendly at Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex on Saturday at 7 p.m.
After a disappointing penalty shootout playoff exit last season, the Beale Street Boys stride into 2024 with new faces and new expectations in the club’s sixth USL Championship campaign.
“I like the group and how it’s come together,” Glass said. “Anytime you bring a number of new faces you don’t know what it’s going to be like, but we vetted them pretty thoroughly before they came in. I think the performances we had in Nashville and Atlanta have shown that we’ve made some good decisions. People like what they see when they see us.”
The two strong performances on the road so far this preseason resulted in draws against MLS clubs Atlanta United and Nashville SC, highlighted by goals from returnees Luiz Fernando and Nighte Pickering.
Pickering, entering his third year as a pro, scored on his first touch of the preseason in the opening minutes against Atlanta and looks to be a key piece as the club competes for a championship.
“We’ve seen throughout training and the two preseason games we’ve had already, it’s been good,” Pickering said. “We’re still getting in touch with each other, which will come naturally. We still have two more preseason games to get ready.”
The 19-year-old forward will face off against a few of his peers when he steps on the field but says he’ll keep his focus on his own club’s quality.
“It’s going to feel like any other game,” he said. “I know they’ll be coming at us hard wanting to prove something to the pros. I think it’ll be a decent game, but in the end we want to show our quality and show why we’re the professionals.”
The Tigers, coming off of a second round NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament appearance, look to build their momentum under head coach Richard Mulrooney in 2024.
“With the game on Saturday, since I’ve been here we’ve always tried to play the college teams. We think that helps those schools bring people in and equally lets us see what’s in our backyard,” Assistant Sporting Director Caleb Patterson Sewell said. “It’s not easy to be a pro player, but if there’s someone good we want to know about him. We’ve created training opportunities for players at college and youth levels. We feel good about getting into the community and making that a part of our DNA.”
Saturday’s match kicking off at 7 p.m. CT is open to the public with free admission. Memphis 901 FC opens the 2024 regular season at home against Las Vegas Light FC on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. CT. Single Game Tickets are available now at Memphis901FC.com.
Welcome BACK to the 901, Jay Mims — The 901 FC Podcast S2 E1
Chief Operating Officer Jay Mims joins host Pete Pranica to chat about growing up in Memphis and plans for the club in 2024 and beyond.
The Official Memphis 901 FC podcast can be found on YouTube as well as Apple and Spotify.
The Beale Street Boys open the regular season at home on March 9 against Las Vegas Lights FC. Tickets are available now at www.memphis901fc.com.
Stephen Glass Breaks Down 901 FC’s Offseason Ahead of Year Two in Memphis – Pitch to Plate Ep. 1
Memphis 901 FC Head Coach Stephen Glass sits down at Bog & Barley to talk about the lead up to the upcoming season. The Beale Street Boys open the season at AutoZone Park on March 9. Tickets are available at www.memphis901fc.com.
Becoming the Skipper: Leston Paul Captains Memphis with Focus on Here and Now
The day in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, would go down in USMNT infamy.
On October 10, 2017, The Soca Warriors of Trinidad and Tobago would hold off the United States in the final match of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying to win 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in international soccer history.
With a look back at that match any American soccer fan can see future 901 FC Sporting Director Tim Howard in goal for USMNT, but Memphians might recognize the man patrolling the central midfield, wearing No. 23 for the side in red.
Leston Paul played all 90 minutes in that contest, and not long after the landmark victory for Trinidad and Tobago, he had agreed to move to Memphis to become one of the first Beale Street Boys.
“I was in Trinidad and was playing with Central FC. The owner of the team at the time knew the (then-Memphis) GM Andrew Bell. Andrew reached out to him and told him there was a new team forming in Memphis,” Paul said. “He reached out and they came to Trinidad, the GM and the Head Coach. We met and sat down, they came to watch a game. It was a new project and they hoped to build something for the future and I was up for it.”
Since joining the startup soccer club for its inaugural season in 2019, Paul has seen a lot in the Bluff City. He was there for the 9-18-7 record in the first year. He was there for the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2022. He was there when they knocked off an MLS team for the first time in club history in this year’s Open Cup.
Paul is the only player that has been with 901 FC since the beginning, and reflects on his time proudly after reaching his 100th cap with the club earlier this month.
“I came in and in the first year it was a bit rocky as a new franchise. We had a base where we were trending upwards compared to the first year. Every year we were building and getting better and went a step further,” he said. “It’s something that I want to be a part of just seeing that the team is growing every year and it’s a blessing to be a part of that.”
Becoming the Skipper
Paul quickly developed a leadership role with the club and was asked to become the permanent team captain ahead of the 2021 season. He knew the title came with more than just wearing the armband every match or leading the team out of the tunnel.
“Straight away I was like I would never turn this down,” he said. “It’s just making sure that the guys are comfortable and everyone is bought into what we’re doing. You have a team of 20-something players and everyone would come in with different ideas and different playing styles with different goals.
“Me being the captain is more than just on the field. I feel like I’ve done a great job of taking care of off the field stuff and making sure that everyone gives 100% when it’s game time.”
Those captain duties were limited entirely to off the field for most of 2023.
Paul has played over 7,000 minutes since 2019 only missing time for international duty, but this season has been different as the veteran missed extended time due to injury for the first time in his career in the first half of the season.
“It’s been tough because this is the first time in my 10-year professional career that I’ve been sidelined for this amount of time,” he said. “Dealing with injury, personally, has been tough with not being able to be here every day to drive the guys because I had to focus on my rehab and individual stuff.”
‘Every Game is a Final’
When Paul had to spend time away from the training ground, he’d get reports and feedback on how every session went, connecting with his teammates even if they couldn’t hear his voice everyday. Finally, Paul’s long-awaited season debut came on July 2 and he’s since moved back into the starting lineup to wear the captain’s armband nightly.
With six matches remaining in the regular season, Memphis is fighting for a top four position in the USL Championship to grab a home field advantage in the first round of the postseason. The veteran maintains that the club’s focus remains on the next practice and the next match, then let the chips fall where they may.
“We want to win as many games as possible and see what happens at the end of the season. Hopefully, we get a home field playoff game. It’s one game at a time and you don’t want to look forward too much and just look at taking care of Hartford,” he said. “Every game is a final in our minds. We go in with that mindset to win.”
Getting it Done on Debut: Inside Samuel Careaga’s first 72 Hours as a Beale Street Boy
Almost every professional footballer gets the call at least once in their career.
New Beale Street Boy Samuel Careaga had no hesitation when his agent told him he’d been sent out on loan from top-level Argentine club Atletico Lanus to Memphis 901 FC and he’d be traveling to the United States for the first time in his life.
“I didn’t really know much. I’d been training and then when they told me, I didn’t think twice,” Careaga said through an interpreter. “I said yes straight away because I haven’t been playing many games and this is a beautiful opportunity that I want to take advantage of so I can get rhythm and minutes.”
That opportunity presented itself almost instantly as Careaga found himself checking in with the fourth official at AutoZone Park just three days after touching down at Memphis International Airport.
With 901 FC trailing the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 and time ticking away on a comeback effort, Careaga subbed in for the goal scorer Rodrigo Da Costa and the momentum the starters had built finally resulted in shots reaching the back of the net.
The midfielder came in with fresh legs to control pace and direct traffic along with Aaron Molloy, and suddenly Memphis was ahead 3-2 after a Jeremy Kelly header and an own goal forced by the pressure of the Memphis attack. Knocking off one of the best sides in the league isn’t a bad first result for the newbie.
“He came in just a few days ago and he’s been absolutely great,” midfielder Aaron Molloy said. “He’s integrated with the lads and for him to come in and contribute like he did in his first game, it’s very good. It shows the level of the team for him to be in and contribute from the start.”
While Careaga has only played seven minutes of live action for the Beale Street Boys, they hope he can be the type of late-season addition that sparks a playoff run and turns a great team into a force to be reckoned with. Wednesday’s victory is just a sample of what Head Coach Stephen Glass is looking for.
“It was a good opportunity to get Samuel on and he showed,” Glass said. “He’s an all-around midfield player who can shoot and combine with the other midfielders. I think it looked like he fit in the group tonight and I think he enjoyed it.”
As far as fitting into the Memphis style of play, the Argentinian said his main focus after a few training sessions is adapting to the pace the club likes to play with from the training ground to matchday.
Memphis will be able to utilize Careaga a number of ways as they fight for homefield advantage in the first round of the postseason with seven matches remaining and just one point separating them and No. 4 Louisville City.
The next opportunity for Careaga to show what he can do will come quickly again as he’ll be available for selection when the club hosts Monterey Bay F.C. on Saturday, September 9 at AutoZone Park at 7 p.m. CT.
“The rhythm is very intense here, I wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I’ve been speaking with Caleb (Patterson-Sewell) about it being intense and it’s beautiful, beautiful soccer down here. I want the supporters to get excited and for them to keep cheering for us because we will fight,” he said. “We will fight until the end and take Memphis to the highest level possible.”