Memphis 901 FC Gets US Open Cup Home Game

For the first time since their inaugural season in 2019, Memphis 901 FC will be hosting a home game in the US Open Cup. In a live-streamed draw from US Soccer, Memphis 901 was was awarded hosting rights tot heir third round match-up against Miami United FC of the NPSL. Game details (such as kickoff time and venue) are still to be announced, but the game figures to be played on either Tuesday, April 16th or Wednesday, April 17th.

This year’s version of the US Open Cup looks different than previous editions of the tournament due to Major League Soccer attempting to abandon the competition. The party line is that they wish to avoid fixture congestion, a hilariously tone-deaf excuse given that the bulk of the alleged fixture congestion is due to their participation in the Leagues Cup (a competition dreamed up by MLS to cash in on the massive number of Mexican fans in the US). And while US Soccer didn’t allow them to totally abandon the competition, only eight of the 26 American teams in the league will participate this year.

For Memphis 901 FC, the Open Cup has provided a pair of quality showings. In 2019 they hosted all three of their games. First was a 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls U23 team in front of 4,057 at AutoZone Park. Next was a 4-0 hammering of the Hartford Athletic, this time out at Mike Rose before a crowd of 1,819 on the anniversary of the city’s founding in (you guessed it) 1819. The run ended however with a loss to Orlando City from MLS before an over-capacity crowd of 3,088 (a match refereed by the same referee who put on a disasterclass in 901 FC’s most recent home game against Indy Eleven)

In both 2020 and 2021, the Open Cup was canceled but 901 FC returned in 2022 with a first game loss on the road to Chattanooga FC. Last year however saw another big run. It started with an extra time win over One Knoxville SC before they scored a proverbial Cupset on the road against Atlanta United from MLS, also in extra time. The fun came to an unfortunate end in a Southern Harm rivalry game down in Birmingham.

Before 901 FC hosts the Open Cup however, they do have another home game in league play. They get set to take on Orange County SC this Saturday down at AutoZone Park with kickoff set for 3pm. Single game tickets are available for purchase.