Memphis 901 FC is heading to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Last Saturday, they secured their spot in the playoffs with a 0-0 draw against Sacramento Republic, extending their unbeaten home streak to 13 games. With two regular season games remaining, the push is to host a home playoff game for the third straight year. There are a number of scenarios in which that could happen, but the easiest way for the Beale Street Boys to win a home playoff game is this: Win the next two games and get the maximum six points.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Each of these final two games of the regular season will be away from home and both will be against top-tier teams. Phoenix Rising are the reigning USL champions and currently sit above the playoff line in 7th place, although they have not secured an official spot in this year's postseason. This means that 901 FC can expect its best chance of rising on Saturday evening. After the game in Phoenix, 901 FC closes out the regular season against New Mexico United, the top team in the Western Conference.

But the possibility of a third straight year of a home playoff game is tantalizingly close. The top four teams in each conference win a home game and 901 FC is currently in fifth place, just a single point behind the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and just four points behind the third-place Sacramento Republic.

There is no shortage of storylines for this game against Phoenix. Last year, Rising embarrassed 901 FC by beating them 6-0 in the desert. Memphis 901 FC got revenge this season, defeating the reigning champions 5-1 at AutoZone Park. Not long after, 901 FC snapped up Panos Armenakaswho joked that losing in a 5-1 loss was one of the reasons he left Phoenix for Memphis.

When, where

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024

Venue: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium

City: Phoenix, Arizona

Time: 9:30 p.m. CT

TV: WMC 5.3, ESPN+

All-time series

Memphis 901 FC leads 2-1-0

Last meeting

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee

Number of visitors: 2,775

Result: Memphis 901 FC 5:1 Phoenix Rising

Conference stand

Memphis 901 FC: 5th in the West (45 points)

The Rise of the Phoenix: 7th in the West (42 points)

Next game

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024

Competition: USL Regular Season

Matchup: Memphis 901 FC @ New Mexico United

Venue: Isotopes Park

City: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Time: 9:00 p.m. CT

TV: WMC 5.3, ESPN+