Photo courtesy Memphis 901 FC
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A sellout crowd of 8,957 fans welcomed Memphis 901 FC to the Bluff City on Saturday night as the club celebrated the official unveiling of its name, crest and colors with an exhibition clash between the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and Tulsa Roughnecks FC of the USL at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis.
In an entertaining contest for the festive crowd on hand the Rapids claimed a 3-2 victory as Niki Jackson scored a hat trick to lead Colorado to victory, capping off “901 Day” in style for the 2019 USL expansion club as it continues to build toward its inaugural season next spring.
The Roughnecks twice took the lead in the first half, opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Josh Morton put home a finish from a corner kick. It took less than a minute for Jackson to score the first of his three goals on the night, however, as he scored on the rebound after his initial effort had been saved by Tulsa goalkeeper Fabian Cerda.
Tulsa regained the lead through El Salvador international Joaquin Rivas in the 26th minute as the club’s leading scorer this season in the league with nine goals curled a free kick past Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard.
That proved the final lead of the game for the Roughnecks on the night, however, as Jackson leveled the game again on the half-hour mark with his second goal of the night. The 23-year-old rookie then scored inside a minute of the second-half kickoff to put the Rapids ahead.
The Roughnecks looked to get back on even terms during the second half as Eti Tavares sent a shot high of the crossbar in the 53rd minute, but despite Tulsa having a pair of late chances to level the Rapids held firm to claim a victory in professional soccer’s arrival in Memphis.
Commemorative tickets for all that enter the doors of @AutoZone_Park tonight.
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 1, 2018
Gates open at 5PM!#SoccerShowdown | #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/jsrswXMjJq
Happy "901 Day." May our new team continues to bring people together like it did it today. #901Day #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/PsFr3TEH7w
— Mauricio Calvo (@calvo901) September 2, 2018
I’d say Memphis is up for soccer #memphis901fc pic.twitter.com/uHNylE9kjo
— Scott Ayers (@ScottAyers2) September 2, 2018
Yes, we are in MEMPHIS at Memphis 901 FC! Regular soccer season starts March 2019! Going to be great! #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/2cX3sJBkvI
— Mark Billingsley (@GermantownMarkB) September 2, 2018
Taking in the view. #SoccerShowdown#Memphis901FC | #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/hyvoh0OIoH
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 2, 2018
Celebrating #901Day at @AutoZone_Park watching @TimHowardGK play. Can’t wait for @Memphis901FC here in #Memphis! #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/6Z0tdnqxZ7
— Andrew Murray (@AndrewZMurray) September 2, 2018
@SBALadyEagles representing at @AutoZone_Park tonight with @TimHowardGK. #ballgirls #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/Og7D8aGnhd
— Suzy Watkins (@suzywatkins) September 2, 2018
First game. #Memphis901FC. Coming soon pic.twitter.com/MrkhfmquRj
— NATE BOOGIE (@nateboogie) September 2, 2018
Here we go! Gates are open for the first soccer match in @AutoZone_Park history!#Memphis901FC | #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/qXrBsdKIG0
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 1, 2018
Getting ready for soccer! #Memphis901FC on a great #choose901 day pic.twitter.com/jjvyLwvqWU
— BeerBourbonRye (@BBRMEM) September 1, 2018
It’s go time! #SoccerShowdown@ColoradoRapids @RoughnecksFC #Memphis901FC | #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/tsxHHW7Imi
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 1, 2018
La Prensa Latina welcomes the new soccer team in the Mid-South: MEMPHIS 901 FC #Memphis901FC #Memphis @AutoZone_Park @USLMemphis pic.twitter.com/KgW4gvkjnS
— La Prensa Latina (@laprensalatina) September 2, 2018
#SoccerShowdown #Memphis901FC @CoachSchildy17 pic.twitter.com/4WpeR1b5EK
— Sarah Schildmeier (@sarahschildy) September 2, 2018
We turned a baseball field into a soccer field in 3 days and sold it out. #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/gmczpAiYu5
— Nick (@N_WIN8) September 2, 2018
What a day. What a #901Day.
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 2, 2018
We're here.#Memphis901FC | #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/J532NYPXju
Watching the Colorado Rapids walk into Auto Zone Park for the game tonight. @TimHowardGK
— NJ Amick (@AmickNj) September 1, 2018
thanks for the high five!!!#memphis901fc#defendmemphis@Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/OqXb3Fh6Xd
Thrilled to recognize the 1st and the 901st season ticket holders in club history!#Memphis901FC | #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/Hee93ABy8B
— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) September 1, 2018
With my kids spending the 9/01 in the 901 watching MLS and celebrating our new @BluffCityMafia and USL team @Memphis901FC Thank you @MemphisGM #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/D110FQhSov
— Coach Roehm (@harlroehm) September 2, 2018
So Memphis has there own Professional Soccer Team now!!!! That’s major! I can’t wait to go to some games!!! #901Day #DefendMemphis #Memphis901FC !!!!!!!!!
— Briana (@Just1Bri) September 2, 2018
#DefendMemphis #Memphis901FC pic.twitter.com/Mnra911jV9
— Childish El Nino (@IntlSpaceNathan) September 2, 2018
A big thank you to @Memphis901FC and the city of Memphis for being great hosts for the past two days. We look forward to our matchups in @USL play. And thanks to @ColoradoRapids for a great game and a fun night. Good luck the rest of the season!
— Tulsa Roughnecks FC (@RoughnecksFC) September 2, 2018
Great experience at @AutoZone_Park for professional soccer. The whole family enjoyed the evening. #Memphis901FC #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/UGeKVsCOIe
— William Egner (@WilliamAEgner) September 2, 2018
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