Southern Harm: Memphis 901 FC draws Birmingham Legion in the US Open Cup Round of 32

For only the second time in their five year history, Memphis 901 FC has won two games in the US Open Cup and advanced to the Round of 32. They did so initially back in 2019 with wins over the New York Red Bulls U-23 team as well as the Hartford Athletic before falling to Orlando City, all three of which were home games. This year their route was more difficult as their first two games were both on the road and both went to extra time: at One Knoxville SC that Jeremy Kelly won in the 124th minute and then at Atlanta United of MLS that Nighte Pickering won in the 94th minute. Their reward for winning two road Open Cup games is to go on the road yet again, this time for a Southern Harm rivalry game with the Birmingham Legion.

Following the conclusion of the Third Round games on Tuesday and Wednesday night, the remaining teams were placed into groups based on geography. The teams in Memphis 901 FC’s group were FC Dallas and Nashville SC (both from MLS) and the Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship. Many fans were hoping for Nashville as it is both an easy trip up I-40 and another opportunity to pull off a Cupset against an MLS team. FC Dallas likewise would have presented a Cupset opportunity but would be too far for 901 FC fans to travel on a weeknight. In the end, it was the in-between option of Birmingham: they’re closer than Dallas but don’t provide the same opportunity for attention that knocking off an MLS team would bring. The game is set to take place on May 10th and will be played at Protective Stadium at 7pm, with viewing options yet to be announced.

Prior to the draw taking place today, it was announced on the stream that only two of the teams remaining in the tournament did not apply to host a game in the Round of 32: DC United and Memphis 901 FC. This decision understandably rankled some fans who want to see the Beale Street Boys play in the Open Cup at home. Memphis 901 FC President Craig Unger took to Twitter, with a two-Tweet thread, to explain the situation.

“Hosting the US Open Cup requires you to hold dates on both Tuesday and Wednesday during the week(s) of play. Assuming the field at AZP is available, due to time needed to convert field, Tuesday is not feasible, therefore we must decline hosting. We must get a soccer stadium.”

The thread continued.

“We look forward to the new stadium at Liberty Park so we can host, which will allow our fans to experience these historical games, generate additional tourism dollars and incremental revenue when hosting Open Cup and especially when playing a MLS team.”

And while the next Open Cup game may not be at home, 901 FC does return home this weekend for a regular season USL game against a rival in Louisville City. Kickoff at AutoZone Park is set for 7pm.