Memphis 901 FC @ Oakland Roots Preview

With nine games remaining in the season, every game is of the utmost importance to Memphis 901 FC. The standings in the Western Conference are as tight as ever. The Beale Street Boys are currently in third place and only behind Sacramento Republic in second place on goal difference. The good news is that the last pair of games allowed Memphis to put some distance between themselves and the playoff line. Their game against Oakland (just behind 901 FC in 4th place) could go a long way towards deciding who gets to host a home playoff game.

In addition to the pair of wins last week, Memphis 901 FC got some more goods news this week. Head Coach Stephen Glass signed a contract extension this week, which will keep him in Memphis through the 2025 season. It’s a decision that Acting Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell didn’t take much time to make.

“Relatively easy one to be honest with you.” he said. “Based on results and probably more importantly, away from the results as well. From my viewpoint, it was really easy for us to get here and we’re in a really stable moment going into next year.”

For his part, Coach Glass was quote happy to be staying in Memphis for another year.

“Yeah, yeah.” said Glass. “I’ve come here late 2022. Got the opportunity to come and start building something and start building on the work that had been done with Tim and Ben before me. I feel like we’ve done a good job. I’m enjoying it. I enjoy living in the city, the people I work with. It’s a good place to be. And the fact that longevity in the job’s not easy to come by these days so, anytime you get that opportunity it’s a positive. And yeah, I’m delighted to be here.”

The fans should certainly be delighted that Coach Glass is returning because he has them playing quite well at the moment. Last Wednesday they demolished Miami FC 5-1 and then returned home to AutoZone Park. There, they soundly beat FC Tulsa 2-0 and extended their home unbeaten streak to nine games. With those two wins, 901 FC now has lost only once in their last five games. That run of form comes along at a very good time as the team gears up for the final push to the playoffs.

Those two recent wins allowed 901 FC to put some distance between themselves and the fringe of the playoff picture. Saturday’s game in Oakland is an opportunity for 901 FC to put some distance between themselves and the team immediately behind them in the standings. The Roots sit in 4th place, just two points behind the Beale Street Boys. They were one of the first teams to fire their coach this season, moving on from Noah Delgado after a 2-5-1 start. Interim boss Gavin Glinton has done well with the team since April, steadying the ship and getting them into the playoff places. The Roots are unbeaten in their last three games, with two wins, but had a pair of shockers immediately prior. First was a 5-0 de-pantsing on the road in Pittsburgh against the Riverhounds. They followed that up with a 5-2 pounding at home against Sacramento.

When, Where

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024

Venue: Pioneer Stadium

City: Hayward, California

Time: 9pm CT

TV: WMC 5.3, CBS Sports Golazo

All-Time Series

Memphis 901 FC leads 1-0-1

Last Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2024

Venue: Pioneer Stadium

City: Hayward, California

Result: Memphis 901 FC 1-1 Oakland Roots

Conference Standing

Memphis 901 FC: 3rd in West (38pts)

Oakland Roots: 4th in West (36pts)

Next Game

Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-Up: Memphis 901 FC @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Venue: Weidner Field

City: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Time: 8pm CT

TV: WMC 5.3, ESPN+