Memphis 901 FC wins the night, if not the match
Soccer fan Parks Russell greets Memphis' newest sports franchise as they take the field during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ewan Grandison (17) and Marc Burch (right) beat Tampa's Sebastian Guenzatti (13) to a header during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis 901 FC head coach Tim Mulqueen disputes a penalty call during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Wesley Charpie (right) attempts a bicycle kick past Tampa's Zach Steinberger (8) during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Soccer fans Ryan McNally (center) and Malea France greet Memphis' newest sports franchise as they take the field during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Goal keeper Jeff Caldwell misjudges a penalty kick for a Tampa score during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Wesley Charpie (left) goes head-to-head with Tampa's Sebastian Guenzatti during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dan Metzger (6) and Rashawn Dally (14) steal the ball from Tampa's Zach Steinberger (8) during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Goal keeper Jeff Caldwell clears a score attempt by Tampa's Juan Tejada (17) during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Forward Elliot Collier (right) blocks out Tampa's Tarek Morad during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Rashawn Dally (left) goes head-to-head with Tampa's Tarek Morad during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Players line up for a corner kick during the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Soccer fans sing "Can't Help Falling In Love" to Memphis' newest sports franchise as they leave the field after the 901 FC season opener against the Tampa Rowdies at Autozone Park on March 9, 2019. The Rowdies beat Memphis 1-0 with a penalty kick early in the first half. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Don Wade
Don Wade has been a Memphis journalist since 1998 and he has won awards for both his sports and news/feature writing. He is originally from Kansas City and is married with three sons.
Although Memphis 901 FC lost 1-0 to Tampa Bay Saturday night at AutoZone Park as pro soccer returned to town, they gave the fans a two-hour party.
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