CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A year ago, for the first time in their history, the Charlotte Independence hosted a playoff game.

On Saturday night, as the club hosts Memphis 901 FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires, the side is looking to take the next step and advance in the postseason for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

There should be reason for optimism for the hosts. Charlotte enters its fourth postseason trip as one of the hottest teams in the Championship, having reeled off a 10-1-1 record to close the regular season to claim second place in a highly competitive Atlantic Division. Both Irvin Parra and Dane Kelly have reached double-digit goals this season, while the midseason additions of experienced top-flight players Christian Fuchs – who won the Premier League in 2015 with Leicester City – and midfielders Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan have added to what was already a playoff contender on paper. The playoffs haven’t been kind in the past to the side, however, with last year seeing the Independence eliminated on their home turf after extra time as Southern Derby rival the Charleston Battery got the better of them.

Looking to play that role this season is 901 FC, which makes its playoff debut after a similarly strong close to the season. Led by Kyle Murphy, who became the 10th player in league history to record 20 goals in a regular season this year, Memphis makes its postseason debut having undergone major changes last offseason under Head Coach Ben Pirmann. In addition to Murphy, Memphis brought aboard other key attacking figures including Belize international Michael Salazar, Kadeem Dacres – who leads the team with eight assists – and Cote d’Ivoire attacking midfielder Laurent Kissiedou. The side ended the season on an 8-2-1 to finish in third place in the Central Division playing an attractive, incisive style that has the club potentially well-set for the future.

With both teams in positive form, and the weight of expectation lying firmly on the hosts, the experience Charlotte has accumulated will be in the spotlight as it tries to avoid another early elimination.

TwinSpires Sportsbook Odds: Charlotte Independence -177, Memphis 901 FC +320, Draw +300

Most Recent Lineups

Charlotte Independence (3-4-3): Austin Pack; Kevin Riascos, Hugh Roberts, Christian Fuchs; Joel Johnson, Jake Areman, Enzo Martinez, Adam Armour; Sylvain Marveaux, Irvin Parra, Gabriel Obertan

Memphis 901 FC (4-2-3-1): Brady Scott; Mark Segbers, Skylar Thomas, Zach Carroll, Alan Winn; Laurent Kissiedou, Leston Paul; Michael Salazar, Dre Fortune, Roland Lamah; Kyle Murphy

Discipline

Charlotte Independence – None

Memphis 901 FC – None