Republic FC returns home from the East Coast this Saturday and welcomes Memphis 901 FC to Heart Health Park. The match marks the two clubs first-ever meeting since the Tennessee side debuted in 2019. Ahead of another highly anticipated inter-conference contest, get to know this week’s opponent.
Last Week’s Results: #MEMvSA
Memphis suffered a tough defeat at home to San Antonio in Week 17. Defensive lapses in key moments put the club at an early deficit, and San Antonio would end the match with four scores. The club did well to generate opportunities and fight back, posting 16 shots and six on target, but a strong defensive performance kept their opportunities out of the net. A mid-week tilt awaits them in Oakland Wednesday before coming to Sacramento.
Memphis This Season
Memphis has been one of the league’s strongest sides for the bulk of the season. From the start of April to the end of June, the club was unbeaten, recording 12 straight results without a loss, and winning eight matches. They conceded only 10 goals in that span while scoring 28, recording four clean sheets.
Players to Watch
The club’s attack runs through midfielder Aaron Molloy, who enters Week 18 of the 2023 season as the league’s leader in chances created. The midfielder has been a threat on the flanks as well, serving in the second-most crosses in the league to Jack Gurr.
Earlier this season, Memphis made two big-time additions to its roster. Forward Rodrigo da Costa came over from FC Tulsa in June, and has netted three scores and tallied one assist since changing clubs. Between the sticks, MLS veteran Bill Hamid – formerly of D.C. United from 2010-2022 – has taken over as the number one choice.
Head-to-Head
Sacramento and Memphis have never faced off – this week’s contest will mark the first between the two clubs. 901 FC enters the week in fourth place in the East, having conceded 26 scores to 30 scored. Sacramento maintains the top scoring differential in the league at +19, and enters the match tied with Tampa Bay for the most points league wide at 34. Against nine shared opponents this season – Pittsburgh, Rio Grande Valley, Louisville, Hartford, Colorado Springs, Tulsa, Detroit, Charleston, and San Antonio – Memphis has recorded 7 wins, two draws and two losses, and Sacramento has recorded five wins and five draws.
