USL Memphis 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC Host Rival Birmingham Legion FC

Published on August 14, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis 901 FC (5-5-5, 20 points) will face Birmingham Legion FC (10-5-2, 32 points) Saturday evening at AutoZone Park. Last time out, 901 FC limited the third-highest scoring offense in the league to zero goals from open play, as a penalty kick conversion from either side decided the 1-1 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Tuesday.

In a physical match that saw just three shots on target apiece and 33 fouls between the two sides, Tuesday evening's contest fittingly ended in a 1-1 draw that featured converted penalty kicks from two of the league's leading scorers-Colorado Springs' Hadji Barry in the 35' and Kyle Murphy in the 84'. The match featured the first penalty kick awarded to Memphis this year along with Kyle Murphy's ninth goal of the season.

Memphis 901 FC is currently sixth in the Central Division and has gone unbeaten in six of its last seven games to position itself within striking distance of the playoff line. Birmingham Legion FC has continued its strong form as it sits at second in the division the second-most wins in the league.

Both sides are stout defensively as they find themselves in the top half of the league in clean sheets and bottom half of the league in goals conceded. Individually, the Legion field stars on either end of the pitch, as forward Neco Brett is second in the league with 11 goals and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel is seventh in the Championship in saves with 49 and tied for second in clean sheets with five.

For Memphis, Kyle Murphy is fresh off of a USL Championship Player of the Month honor-the first of its kind for Memphis 901 FC. Murphy has scored eight goals in the past eight matches. Murphy's nine goals not only tie the forward for third place in the league, but they also put him just two goals shy of the all-time record for goals in a season with the club and just four goals shy of the all-time record for career goals with 901 FC. Additionally, highly efficient midfielder Laurent Kissiedou will return to the pitch after his one-match suspension.

Saturday's match will mark the ninth edition of the heated rivalry between the regional foes. Memphis is 2-3-3 against Legion FC but has only lost one of its last five meetings with the club. Memphis and Birmingham have already met twice this season as their respective stars have secured a pair of 1-0 victories for either side. Following Saturday's match at AutoZone Park, the meeting between the two clubs will occur in Memphis on September 4.

This weekend's match will be broadcast on CW30 Memphis and ESPN+. Ticket information can be found here.

For the latest information on the team, visit www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 14, 2021


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