MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis 901 FC currently sit third in the Western Conference Standings — a large part of their success this season has come from four players who share a unique bond.
Lucas Turci, Luiz Fernando, Bruno Lapa and Marlon Santos all left their home country of Brazil to chase their dreams of professional soccer.
“We speak the same language — we’re from the same place but being so far away from our families and spending so much time without seeing them, we end up just extra connected," Turci said.
“For me it’s just special being with them you know — good energy everyday," Fernando said.
Turci and Fernando were the first of the Brazilian brass to join 901 FC back in 2022. The following year Lapa joined the fold and this year Marlon donned the Beale Street Blue.
"Being in a club with some fellow Brazilians is a big difference because I’ve played for other clubs before where they didn’t have anyone from my culture to help me through things," Marlon said. "For me, being here with those guys gives me that sense of home."
Behind that culture and support, Marlon is playing some of the best football of his career. The forward is fresh off a USL player of the month nod, leads the team in goals scored with six and also assists with five.
Still, Marlon isn't the only one in form. Of Memphis' 23 goals this season, the Brazilian quartet have scored 15 and at least one of the guys has contributed to 16 of the club's last 18 goals.
“More than on the field I think we are a good group of guys that can bring sometimes the Brazilian samb — the Brazilian energy to the locker room," Lapa said.
“It’s part of our culture," Turci said. "In Brazil things are very gray and people come from very humble areas, but people find a way to be happy and continue to live their lives with a great energy and a great mood, so we try to bring that to the team.”
You will often find the guys singing and dancing at practice with Bruno calling himself the "band manager" and saying that Marlon is the most talented member of the group.
The lads haven't just found a family in each other but in the greater Brazilian community here in Memphis too.
“The Brazilian community for me is very important not only because they come support me and support the club, but I think God has put a purpose on my life that I can learn off of them and be a better person through them," Turci said.
Silvia Bedford is one of many Brazilians that have become part of the "Beale Street Boys" home away from home.
"It was just so natural for us to just bond," Bedford said. "We see each other quite often, but we talk a lot on the phone."
Bedford and the rest of the Brazilian community here in Memphis enjoy regular barbeques with the guys who also play soccer with lots of the kids.
"It’s just nice to see the kids looking up to us to be like us," Fernando said. "I’m really happy to see there are a lot of Brazilian people coming in."
The guys have turned to Silvia for more than just friendship.
"One day we were talking about Brazilian food and they were saying that they miss the beans, and I was like 'well I can just cook you the beans,'" Bedford said.
In April, Silvia was diagnosed with breast and lymph node cancer.
"It's hard to think about," Bedford said.
“I think obviously finding out there’s someone with cancer it’s never easy — it’s never fun news. It’s horrible to see," Lapa said.
Through every treatment, the guys have made sure to cheer Silvia on from the sidelines, just like she does for them from the stands of every game.
"I have a lot of support especially from the boys," Bedford said. "They took time off their days to go to our house to pray for me and with me, and they always check up on me to see how I'm doing and if I need anything.”
"When it comes to family you’re not just going to be there for the good moments but for the tough times as well," Lapa said. "It’s the most important thing because that’s the family that we have.”
The boys bring that Brazilian care and flare everyday and have no plans on slowing down anytime soon.
You can catch them and the rest of 901 FC on Saturday when they play at Las Vegas, before returning home on Friday, June 28 for a clash with Phoenix.