Memphis 901 FC @ FC Tulsa Preview

The standings in the Western Conference of the USL Championship are as tight as ever. Memphis 901 FC is just a point out of second place, but at the same time is just four points away from being entirely out of the playoff places. Every game, especially those against fellow Western Conference foes, is critical. That is the setting for Memphis 901 FC’s game on the road against FC Tulsa.

Saturday night’s game will be 901 FC’s third straight road game and fourth in their last five. It’s a long stretch away from home that would tend to set any team just a little bit on edge. But head coach Stephen Glass says they have done a good job at not letting it affect them too much.

“It’s almost something we’ve gotten used to a little bit.” Glass said. “I think it’s keeping them upbeat. Sometimes when you’re away on the road a lot you’re under each other’s skin a little bit. So there’s a bit of group management that’s required and probably a little bit of leadership. I think we’ve managed to get a good balance of giving the boys time off when they’re home training and like I said not being under each other’s skin too much. I think that part of it’s good but results help everything.”

901 FC’s results have certainly been good of late. Most recently of course was a 1-0 win on the road against Detroit City (who have still never managed a win against Memphis) but overall the Beale Street Boys have lost just once in their last seven games dating back to June 8. The one loss was a 4-1 pounding away to Orange County. However, that loss could possibly be explained away as Stephen Glass pointed out that getting out to California required them to leave at 7am and due to the ever so relatable airline delays, the team did not arrive in Orange County until 9pm local time resulting in a 14-hour travel day.

FC Tulsa has also had to experience a dramatic increase in travel this season. Like Memphis 901 FC, they were moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference prior to the start of the season. That might be where the similarity ends, however. Tulsa sits just one spot above last place in the West. They are playing better of late, with just one loss in their last five games (a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks). Goalscoring seems to be a problem for them though. They have been held scoreless in three straight games and in four of their last six.

When, Where

Date: Saturday, July 20, 2024

Venue: ONEOK Field

City: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Time: 7:30pm CT

TV: WMC 5.3, ESPN+

All-Time Series

Memphis 901 FC leads 7-1-0

Last Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Attendance: 3,008

Result: Memphis 901 FC 4-0 FC Tulsa

Conference Standing

Memphis 901 FC: 4th in West (28pts)

FC Tulsa: 11th in West (18pts)

Next Game

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-Up: Memphis 901 FC vs. San Antonio FC

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Time: 7:30pm CT

TV: WMC 5.3, ESPN+

Tickets: Memphis 901 FC vs. San Antonio FC tickets