MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC announced on Wednesday it had signed its first three players for the club’s inaugural 2019 USL Championship season. Midfielder Raul Gonzalez, defender Wes Charpie, and defender Josh Morton are the first players to don the club’s crest pending league and federation approval.

Season ticket holders can meet the players, and 901 FC Sporting Director Andrew Bell, Head Coach Tim Mulqueen, Owner Peter Freund and Memphis 901 FC advisor Tim Howard, at an exclusive USL Cup Watch Party at AutoZone Park on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. CT. Season ticket holders will be treated to one free beer in addition to giveaways, autographs, and photo opportunities.

“We’re very happy to welcome Raul, Wes, and Josh to our Club,” said Bell. “All three players bring unique qualities that we feel will help us as we build the squad in preparation for the start of the 2019 USL season next March. We’re also looking forward to introducing them to our supporters on Nov. 8. It’s going be another exciting night for our Club and a chance for these players to be officially welcomed to our City.”

“All three players possess multiple years of professional experience that will serve us well as we begin our initial campaign in the USL,” added Mulqueen. “They have demonstrated consistent high-level performances at the professional level, and we’re excited to welcome them to the Memphis 901 FC family.”

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Gonzalez played collegiate soccer at the University of Memphis and spent the previous two seasons with the USL’s Richmond Kickers. He made 47 starts for Richmond in 2017 and 2018 and scored five goals. Before signing with Richmond, the Ocean Springs, Miss., native made 65 appearances over four seasons with Memphis and tallied 13 goals and 13 assists. Gonzalez was a two-time all-conference honoree for the Tigers, and he was named to the All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2013. His breakout season came as a junior in 2015, when he started all 17 matches, scored a team-high seven goals, and led Memphis with 16 points.

Charpie spent the 2018 season with Jacksonville Armada FC after playing in the USL for Saint Louis FC in 2017 and Toronto FC II in 2015 and 2016. He was drafted 29th overall in the 2015 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Toronto FC and signed with its USL affiliate, making 43 appearances in two seasons with Toronto FC II. In 2017, Charpie, who hails from Tarpon Springs, Fla., joined Saint Louis FC and made 19 appearances with two assists. He enjoyed an extensive youth and college career, training with the Aston Villa and Blackburn youth teams, before earning multiple all-league honors at the University of South Florida.

Morton, who scored the first goal in AutoZone Park history for Tulsa Roughnecks FC in the Sept. 1 “Soccer Showdown” exhibition match against the Colorado Rapids of MLS, made 27 starts and 32 appearances in his only season with Tulsa. He starred at the University of California, starting nearly every match and earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a senior, which led Morton to a fourth-round pick by the Chicago Fire in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The Wyandotte, Mich., native then signed with Tulsa two months later to begin his professional career.