{{short description|American professional soccer team}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}} {{infobox football club | clubname = Memphis 901 FC | image = Memphis 901 FC logo.svg | upright = 0.7 | caption = | fullname = Memphis 901 FC | shortname = | founded = {{Start date and age|2018|1|8}} | dissolved = {{Start date and age|2024|11|13}} | stadium = AutoZone Park<br />Memphis, Tennessee | capacity = 10,000 | owntitle = | owner = Peter B. Freund<br>Craig Unger<br>Tim Howard | chrtitle = | ceo = | mgrtitle = Sporting director | manager = Caleb Patterson-Sewell | coach = Stephen Glass | league = USL Championship | season = 2024 | position = 3rd, Western Conference<br>Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals | website = {{URL|https://www.memphis901fc.com/|memphis901fc.com}} | pattern_la1 = _pachuca2223h | pattern_b1 = | pattern_ra1 = _pachuca2223h | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = 003087 | body1 = 003087 | rightarm1 = 003087 | shorts1 = 003087 | socks1 = 003087 | pattern_la2 = _tijuana2223a | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = _tijuana2223a | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = FFFFFF | body2 = FFFFFF | rightarm2 = FFFFFF | shorts2 = FFFFFF | socks2 = FFFFFF | largestwin = | worstdefeat = | topscorer = | honours = | American = true | current = }}
'''Memphis 901 FC''' was an American professional soccer team based in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 2018, the team made its debut in the USL Championship in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/873217 |title=Memphis Joins the USL for 2019 Season |access-date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=United Soccer League (USL)}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://wreg.com/2018/01/08/usl-awards-memphis-expansion-team-for-2019/ |title=USL awards Memphis expansion team for 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref>
On November 13, 2024, it was announced that the team would be folding after they were unable to secure funding for a new soccer-specific stadium at the fairgrounds site. The USL Championship franchise rights were transferred to Santa Barbara Sky FC, based in Santa Barbara, California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Raven |last2=Davis |first2=Deja |date=November 13, 2024 |title=901 FC leaving Memphis for Santa Barbara: USL |url=https://wreg.com/sports/901-fc-leaving-memphis-for-santa-barbara-sources-say/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=WREG.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=United Soccer League announces transfer of Memphis 901 FC's USL Championship rights to Santa Barbara SKY FC |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1323634 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=USLChampionship.com |publisher=USL Championship}}</ref>
==Colors and badge== The club's name referred to the local area code for the Memphis area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burgess |first=Katherine |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Pro soccer team reveals new, Memphis-focused identity |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/09/01/pro-soccer-team-reveals-new-memphis-focused-identity/1172796002/ |work=The Commercial Appeal |accessdate=June 15, 2023}}</ref> On September 1, 2018, Memphis 901 FC unveiled their logo, which uses concentric lines styled like neon signs to form a LP record; the lines are a reference to Beale Street, which has several buildings that use neon signage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nichols |first=Meagan |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Memphis pro soccer club unveils 901-centric name, sells out AutoZone Park |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2018/09/01/see-it-now-memphis-pro-soccer-club-unveils-901.html |work=Memphis Business Journal |accessdate=June 15, 2023}}</ref>
===Sponsorship=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- ! style="background:#002A5C; color:#ffffff;"|Season ! style="background:#002A5C; color:#ffffff;"|Kit manufacturer ! style="background:#002A5C; color:#ffffff;"|Shirt sponsor |- | 2019–2021 | Nike | rowspan=2 | Terminix<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/997734 |title=Terminix Announced As Memphis 901 FC Front-Of-Jersey Sponsor |website=www.memphis901fc.com |access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> |- | 2022–2023 | Puma |- | 2024 | Charly<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news/2024/01/30/memphis-901-fc-partners-with-charly-as-clubs-exclusive-apparel-provider | title=Memphis 901 FC Partners with CHARLY as Club's Exclusive Apparel Provider }}</ref> | Cancer Kickers<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news/2024/03/06/memphis-901-fc-unveils-2024-home-kit-with-cancer-kickers-soccer-club-as-front-jersey-sponsor/ | title=Memphis 901 FC Unveils 2024 Home Kit with Cancer Kickers Soccer Club as Front Jersey Sponsor }}</ref> |}
== Stadium == The club played at AutoZone Park, a baseball stadium that is also home to the minor league Memphis Redbirds. For its matches, the stadium's dirt infield was replaced with sod, and a pitch was laid along the first baseline.<ref>{{cite news |last=Giannotto |first=Mark |date=August 31, 2018 |title=Memphis, AutoZone Park get set for first 'test run' with pro soccer |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/2018/08/31/memphis-autozone-park-get-set-first-test-run-pro-soccer/1109460002/ |work=The Commercial Appeal |accessdate=June 22, 2023}}</ref> The club also played at Mike Rose Soccer Complex for a U.S. Open Cup game against Hartford Athletic on May 29, 2019, and for a U.S. Open Cup game against Orlando City SC on June 12, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/schedule-2019 |title=2019 Schedule |website=memphis901fc.com |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>
On October 18, 2022, the club announced plans for a new soccer-specific stadium with a capacity of 10,000. The stadium was planned to open in time for the 2025 USL Championship season and would have been constructed at the current site of the Mid-South Coliseum, which closed in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memphis 901 FC Announces Plans for a New Soccer Specific Stadium |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news/2022/10/18/memphis-901-fc-announces-plans-for-a-new-soccer-specific-stadium/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Memphis 901 FC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Corey |date=February 13, 2023 |title=City seeks designer for proposed $52M stadium for Memphis 901 FC, with Mid-South Coliseum torn down |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2023/02/13/901-fc-stadium-build-mid-south-coliseum-demolish.html |work=Memphis Business Journal |accessdate=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
==Ownership== The club was owned by Peter B. Freund, principal owner of Trinity Sports Holdings, Craig Unger, and former United States men's national soccer team goalkeeper Tim Howard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Front Office |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/front-office/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Memphis 901 FC |language=en-US}}</ref> Trinity Sports Holdings' portfolio includes minor league baseball clubs Memphis Redbirds, the Charleston RiverDogs and the Williamsport Crosscutters. Unger also served as president, general manager, and part owner of the Redbirds. The consortium also purchased a majority holding in English fifth-tier club, Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/williamsport/news/trinity-sports-holdings-adds-east-london-football-club/c-294580774 |title=Trinity Sports Holdings Adds East London Football Club |website=MiLB.com |access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref>
==Club culture== ===Rivalries=== Memphis competed in the Southern Harm derby against rivals Birmingham Legion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1228491|title=A brief introduction to Birmingham vs. Memphis, AKA Southern Harm|website=uslchampionship.com|date=June 7, 2022|access-date=June 9, 2022}}</ref>
=== Supporters === The Bluff City Mafia supported Memphis 901. Founded in August 2018, before Memphis' inaugural season, they were known for their march from a local Irish pub to AutoZone Park before every home game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.bluffcitymafia901.com/about |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Bluff City Mafia |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Bluff City Mafia readies for return to Memphis 901 FC match traditions |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/sports/local-sports/bluff-city-mafia-readies-for-return-to-901-fc-match-traditions-soccer-football/522-15a58f0a-6f75-4d4d-9b39-bacb1ecc8680 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=localmemphis.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Before every home game, the Bluff City Mafia invited local celebrities and officials to take part in what had become known as the Guitar Smash, an homage to Memphis' musical roots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arila |first=John |date=July 16, 2019 |title=901 FC Enlists Local Hoops Legend Hardaway for Guitar Smash |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1035351-901-fc-enlists-local-hoops-legend-hardaway-for-guitar-smash |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=USL Championship |language=en-us}}</ref>
==Players and staff== === Final roster === {{updated|August 1, 2024|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/roster/ |title=Team Roster |publisher=Memphis 901 FC |access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref> }} <!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Do NOT add new players before their signing is officially announced by the club -- and do NOT assign unreferenced squad numbers as well. -- Do NOT create articles for brand new signings until they make either their USL or US Open Cup debut, and do not add red wikilinks to these players as it prevents the creation of articles by people who don't understand the WP:FOOTY notability guidelines – Players with international caps should NOT be bolded – as per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Football/Clubs – This is Wikipedia, not a football gazette. – Any unconfirmed and unsourced signing/transfer will be reverted at sight. – Thanks in advance. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> {{fs start|nonumber=|bg=002A5C|color=FFFFFF|border=002A5C}} {{fs player|no=1|nat=USA|name=Tyler Deric|pos=GK}} {{fs player|no=2|nat=TGO|name=Tulu|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=3|nat=USA|name=Carson Vom Steeg|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=USA|name=Emerson Hyndman|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=5|nat=ARG|name=Samuel Careaga|other=on loan from Lanús|pos=MF}} {{fs player|no=6|nat=AUS|name=Zach Duncan|pos=MF}} {{fs player|no=7|nat=USA|name=Noe Meza|pos=FW}} {{fs player|no=8|nat=BRA|name=Lucas Turci|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=BRA|name=Luiz Fernando|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=BRA|name=Bruno Lapa|pos=MF}} {{fs player|no=11|nat=BRA|name=Marlon Santos|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=USA|name=Akeem Ward|pos=DF}} {{fs player|no=15|nat=JAM|name=Neco Brett|pos=FW}} {{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=002A5C|color=FFFFFF|border=002A5C}} {{fs player|no=18|nat=USA|name=Alvaro Quezada|pos=MF}} {{fs player|no=19|nat=USA|name=Oscar Jimenez|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=20|nat=USA|name=Nighte Pickering|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=AUS|name=Panos Armenakas|pos=MF}} {{fs player|no=22|nat=CAN|name=Triston Henry|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=TRI|name=Leston Paul|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat=USA|name=Aren Seeger|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=44|nat=USA|name=Nick DePuy|other=on loan from Huntsville City|pos=DF}} {{fs player|no=47|nat=USA|name=Taylor Bailey|pos=GK}} {{fs player|no=77|nat=USA|name=Dylan Borczak|pos=FW}} {{fs player|no=91|nat=FRA|name=AB Cissoko|pos=DF}} {{fs player|no=99|nat=ESP|name=Jon Bakero|pos=MF}} {{fs end|nonumber=|bg=002A5C|color=FFFFFF|border=002A5C}}
{{Cnote2 Begin}} <small>{{Cnote2|A|group=1|n=1|USL Academy Contract}}</small> {{Cnote2 End}}
===Staff=== {{updated|February 27, 2022|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/technical-staff |title=Technical Staff |website=memphis901fc.com |access-date=February 27, 2022}}</ref>}} {|class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#002A5C; color:#ffffff;" scope="col" colspan="2"|Technical staff {{Fb cs staff |p=Sporting director |s= Caleb Patterson-Sewell}} |- {{Fb cs staff |p=Manager |s= Stephen Glass}} |- {{Fb cs staff |p=Assistant manager |s= Caleb Patterson-Sewell}} |- {{Fb cs staff |p=Director of Sports Science |s= Leandro Spinola}} |- {{Fb cs staff |p=Athletic trainer |s= Langston Smith}} |}
==Team records== ===Year-by-year=== {{updated|November 13, 2024}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Season ! colspan=8 class="unsortable" |USL Championship ! scope="col" rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Play-offs ! scope="col" rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | U.S. Open Cup ! scope="col" colspan="2" class="unsortable" | Top scorer {{ref|1|1}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Head coach |- !{{tooltip|P|Games played}} !{{tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{tooltip|Pts|Points}} !{{tooltip|Pos|Position}} ! class="unsortable" | Player ! class="unsortable" | Goals |- |2019 |34 |9 |18 |7 |37 |52 |34 |15th, Eastern<br>30th, Overall |Did not qualify |4th Round |{{flagicon|USA}} Brandon Allen |10 |{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Mulqueen |- |2020 |15 |4 |7 |4 |24 |31 |16 |11th, Eastern<br>4th, Group G |Did not qualify |Cancelled |{{flagicon|USA}} Cal Jennings |9 |{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Mulqueen (2–6–4)<br>{{flagicon|USA}} Ben Pirmann (2–1–0) |- |2021 |32 |14 |10 |8 |47 |42 |50 |7th, Eastern<br>4th, Central |Conference Quarterfinals |Cancelled |{{flagicon|USA}} Kyle Murphy |20 |{{flagicon|USA}} Ben Pirmann |- |2022 |34 |21 |8 |5 |67 |33 |68 |2nd, Eastern<br>3rd, Overall |Conference Semifinals |2nd Round |{{flagicon|USA}} Phillip Goodrum |21 |{{flagicon|USA}} Ben Pirmann |- |2023 |34 |14 |10 |10 |59 |53 |52 |4th, Eastern<br>5th, Overall |Conference Quarterfinals |Round of 32 |{{flagicon|BRA}} Rodrigo da Costa |15 |{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Glass |- |2024 |34 |14 |9 |11 |52 |41 |51 |3rd, Western<br>8th, Overall |Conference Quarterfinals |Round of 32 |{{flagicon|BRA}} Bruno Lapa |11 |{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Glass |}
{{note|1}}1. '''Top scorer''' includes statistics from league matches only.
===Head coaches=== * Includes USLC regular season, USLC playoffs, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: lem;" ! Coach !! Nationality !! Start !! End !! Games !! '''Win''' !! Loss !! Draw !! Win % |- | Tim Mulqueen | {{flagu|United States}} | {{dts|2018|August|15|format=mdy}} | {{dts|2020|September|15|format=mdy}} {{WDL|49|13|25|11|}} |- | Ben Pirmann (Interim)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1122796|title=Memphis 901 FC Dismisses Head Coach Tim Mulqueen|website=memphis901fc.com|date=September 15, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918135512/https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1122796|url-status=dead}}</ref> | {{flagu|United States}} | {{dts|2020|September|15|format=mdy}} | {{dts|2021|April|8|format=mdy}} {{WDL|3|2|1|0|}} |- | Ben Pirmann<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1156900|title=Memphis 901 FC Names Ben Pirmann Head Coach|website=memphis901fc.com|date=April 8, 2021|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=July 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718041835/https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1156900|url-status=dead}}</ref> | {{flagu|United States}} | {{dts|2021|April|8|format=mdy}} | {{dts|2022|November|17|format=mdy}} {{WDL|70|36|21|13|}} |- | Stephen Glass<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.memphis901fc.com/news/2022/11/22/memphis-901-fc-tabs-former-mls-scottish-premiership-manager-stephen-glass-as-new-head-coach/|title=Memphis 901 FC Tabs Former MLS, Scottish Premiership Manager Stephen Glass as new Head Coach|website=memphis901fc.com|date=November 22, 2022}}</ref> | {{flagu|Scotland}} | {{dts|2022|November|22|format=mdy}} | {{dts|2024|November|13|format=mdy}} {{WDL|75|31|19|25|}} |}
===Average attendance=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: lem;" ! Year !! Reg. season !! Playoffs |- | 2019 | 6,623 | — |- | 2020 | N/A | — |- | 2021 | 4,075 | — |- | 2022 | 3,634 | 6,037 |- | 2023 | 3,344 | 3,587 |- |2024 |2,951 |— |} <ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 USL Championship Attendance |url=https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2022-usl-championship-attendance/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Soccer Stadium Digest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrissey |first=John |title=USL Championship Attendance Tracker |url=https://www.usltactics.com/p/usl-championship-attendance-tracker |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.usltactics.com |language=en}}</ref> <small>Attendance records taken from USL Championship match reports and collated by Soccer Stadium Digest, 2022.</small>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website}}
{{Memphis 901 FC}} {{United Soccer Leagues}} {{Tennessee Sports}}
Category:Memphis 901 FC Category:Former USL Championship teams Category:2018 establishments in Tennessee Category:Association football clubs established in 2018 Category:Soccer clubs in Memphis, Tennessee Category:2024 disestablishments in Tennessee Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2024 Category:Professional soccer clubs in the United States