Memphis 901 FC @ Detroit City preview

One thing that has been noticeably lacking in the buildup to this edition of Memphis 901 FC vs. Detroit City is the venom and vitriol being directed at 901 FC, fans of the team, and the city of Memphis by the…wonderful…people of Detroit. Perhaps that can be chalked up to the fact that, until very recently, their team has spent the bulk of the season languishing outside of the playoff places. But it is certainly a refreshing change of pace. However, the peace can last only as long as 901 FC gets a result on the road in the Great Depression Era, Works Progress Administration venue that Detroit City calls home.

The Beale Street Boys have tightened things up defensively over the course of the last five games, after a disastrous stretch of games during the month of July. The calendar flipping to August, and the return of Carson vom Steeg from injury, gave them new life. Since the loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds early last month, 901 FC has not conceded multiple goals in any game since. Yes their most recent outing was a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Battery but that’s a quality organization with a fantastic manager in Ben Pirmann. But even in that game Memphis only conceded a single goal. In the last five games, Memphis has only conceded a grand total of two goals: the goal in the aforementioned loss to Charleston, and a goal in the 2-1 road win over Indy Eleven. Now comes another road test, this time against a Detroit team that 901 FC has already proven capable of holding scoreless this year.

As mentioned above, Detroit City had spent the bulk of the season on the outside looking in at the playoff race. However, they have gotten hot lately and are now in the eighth and final playoff position. Their last six games have been about like 901 FC’s last five games, though it’s worth noting four of those six were at home (and they won neither road game). They started their turnaround with a 2-0 win over Louisville City on July 19. They followed that up with a 1-0 home win over Monterey Bay. Next was a 1-1 draw on the road against the Oakland Roots before consecutive home game against the Charleston Battery and the Las Vegas Lights (a 1-0 loss and a 1-0 win respectively). Their most recent outing was a one of those lifeless games that came alive out of nowhere as all five goals in their 3-2 loss were scored in a 14 minute stretch of game play.

When, Where

Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue: Keyworth Stadium

City: Hamtramck, Michigan

Time: 6:30pm CT

TV: WMC 5.2, ESPN+

All-Time Series

Memphis 901 FC leads 2-0-2

Last Meeting

Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Attendance: 3,964

Result: Memphis 901 FC 0-0 Detroit City

Conference Standing

Memphis 901 FC: 5th in East (38pts)

Detroit City: 8th in East (30pts)

Next Game

Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-Up: Memphis 901 FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Time: 7pm CT

TV: WMC 5.2, ESPN+

Radio: Sirius XMFC Channel 157

Tickets: Single Match Tickets

Photo Credit: D’Angelo Connell Photography