Memphis 901 FC vs. Orange County SC Preview

For the first time in three weeks, Memphis 901 FC has a home game. Following two straight home games to open the season, their sixth in the USL Championship, they had a bye week followed by a trip out West to Sacramento. When they take the pitch again at AutoZone Park it will be against the first place team in the Western Conference: Orange County SC.

The 2024 season has gotten off to an uneven start for the Beale Street Boys. They opened the season with a 2-1 win over the Las Vegas Lights but dropped their next two games, a 2-1 decision at home against Indy Eleven and then a 1-0 result away to Sacramento Republic. But coach Stephen Glass still likes what he’s seen from him team thus far.

“I think we’re coming together well. The road game last week was difficult going in very shorthanded but the fight of the team was brilliant. We were very difficult to break down as well and offered a decent amount going forward. Not as much as we’d like but a decent amount.”

That’s not to say that Coach Glass thinks there aren’t things to improve upon.

“Some of the things that have influenced games have been disappointing for us but I think in terms of our mentality and what we can look after we’re happy where we are. We’d like to be more of a goal threat again like I said, but I think in terms of being difficult to play against we’ve been that already. That’s what takes you a long way in the season.”

Orange County SC rolls into Memphis having not lost a game yet this season. They’ve played four games so far and have two wins and two draws, good enough for first place in the Western Conference. They opened up with a 2-2 draw against Sacramento Republic and then picked up their first win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds by a 2-0 scoreline. They followed that up with a 2-2 draw against Miami FC before registering a 1-0 win over FC Tulsa.

It’s also worth remembering last year’s meeting between these two teams, a 4-3 thriller at AutoZone Park, did not go 901 FC’s way. It’s a game that Coach Glass and the players certainly haven’t forgotten.

“A good team, a dangerous team, and a team that’s used to winning games. They gave us a problem here last time, came back to beat us. A little comeback and we probably kick-started their season a touch last year. So we’re just looking for three points for ourselves anyway and look after our own business. But Orange County’s a good team, well coached, and good players which we’re going to face a lot of this year.”

When, Where

Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Time: 3pm CT

TV: ESPN+

Tickets: Single Game Tickets

All-Time Series

Memphis 901 FC trails 0-1-1

Last Meeting

Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Attendance: 3,971

Result: Memphis 901 FC 3-4 Orange County SC

Conference Standing

Memphis 901 FC: 9th in West (3pts)

Orange County SC: 1st in West (8pts)

Next Game

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-Up: Memphis 901 FC @ Loudoun United

Venue: Segra Field

City: Leesburg, Virginia

Time: 3pm CT

TV: ESPN+