money Five things to know about Memphis 901 FC’s first-ever playoff match
In the franchise’s third season, Memphis 901 FC will make its first postseason appearance this weekend.
The team, which finished third in the Central Division, will take on the Charlotte Independence, the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic.
The two franchises have met six times with Charlotte winning four, Memphis taking one and one draw. The last meeting was a 3-1 Memphis victory in Charlotte last year, the team's first victory under coach Ben Pirmann.
Here's what to know about the upcoming seventh meeting between the two sides.
Last match: Memphis 901 FC routs Indy Eleven in final regular-season match, will face Charlotte in playoffs
No change in mentality
Since the start of September, Charlotte has won 10 matches, drawn 2 and lost 1. Pirmann said his team is in for a tough match, but 901 FC would not change its mentality or style of play.
"We're going to have to be dialed in, we're going to have to move the ball well, we're going to have to get good pressure, but not much changes," he said. "We just have to get some guys fresh and healthy and then push on from there."
Striker Kyle Murphy said weeks ago the team was already in a playoff mentality.
"We didn't win anything yet," Murphy said. "We can be happy with what we've accomplished in the regular season, but I want to do big things in the playoffs and that's kind of what I'm waiting to celebrate."
Fitness levels
Memphis, already with a smaller squad than other teams in the league, has struggled with injuries all year. The team will headi into the postseason with several players unavailable.
Defender Raul Gonzalez, goalkeeper John Berner, midfielder Mitch Guitar and forward Francis Atuahene will all be unavailable due to injury, Pirmann said. Last week, he said it was not clear if defender Brecc Evans would be available.
Midfielder Kadeem Dacres did not play in the final match of the regular season out of an abundance of caution, but he could be available in the playoffs.
Offensive-defensive partnership
Since the beginning of September, Memphis has scored 10 more goals than it has conceded and had seven games where it scored 3 goals or more.
Midfielder Dre Fortune credited much of the team's recent offensive success to the back line.
"They've been strong. They've prevented the other team from scoring," he said. "That's been helpful for us and lots of confidence going forward and knowing that eventually, we'll get the goal."
Peaking at the playoffs
Murphy said everyone on the team was peaking at the right time.
"If we do what we do, I think we can take care of business," he said.
Fortune said the team felt a really good bond over the last few matches.
"We're hitting our best form at the right time. I think that's really, really good," he said. "And we're just going to continue to ride it out, and hopefully that takes us pretty far."
Where and when
The match will be in Charlotte at 6 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and WMC+ (channel 5.5 over the air, 906 on Comcast and 6 on DISH).
The Bluff City Mafia will have a watch party at The Brass Door.
If Memphis gets past Charlotte, 901 FC will play the winner of Louisville City FC and Miami FC in the second round.
Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, soccer and healthcare for the Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis 901 FC v. Charlotte Independence: what to know, how to watch
