Memphis 901 FC Looks to Secure No. 2 Seed in Regular Season Finale vs. FC Tulsa
October 13, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Memphis 901 FC News Release
Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC closes out their historic regular season with an important matchup against FC Tulsa on Saturday, October 15 at ONEOK Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
While 901 FC has locked up a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the No. 2 seed still weighs in the balance with the Tampa Bay Rowdies one point behind with one match to play. A Memphis win clinches the No. 2 seed and guarantees home field advantage through the first two rounds of the postseason.
Memphis goes into Saturday’s match 20-8-5 on the season coming off of a 2-1 victory thanks to an 87th minute goal from Phillip Goodrum, his club-record tying 20th of the season.
FC Tulsa will look to play spoiler on Saturday sitting at 12-15-6 this season and eliminated from the playoff hunt. Tulsa will be on short rest after a 2-0 win over Monterey Bay F.C. on Wednesday with two goals from Marcus Epps.
901 FC will work for the season sweep after the two clubs’ previous meeting on June 22, when goals from defender Graham Smith and forward Derek Dodson resulted in a 2-0 victory.
The team that has already set club records for points, wins and goals scored will look to seal their highest finish in club history on the final day of the 2022 regular season with three points over FC Tulsa. Fans can watch Saturday’s match on ESPN+ and CW30 locally.
Quotables:
“We know (Tulsa) is going to be a dog fight. Their last match they had a huge crowd. They’ve got young players, guys fighting for jobs. In certain ways it’ll be a game like (New York), which we’ve shown how dangerous it can be, but with even more experienced players. We have to make sure we’re ready to go, so on that October 22 weekend we’re in a good position to make a push.” – Ben Pirmann
History in the Making..
Memphis 901 FC has already made its mark on this historic season, surpassing the club records for points in a season (65), wins (20) and goals scored (62). Now, after securing their second consecutive playoff appearance, the Beale St. Boys are pushing to make more history with a playoff run. 901 FC has secured a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference and will host the first ever playoff match at AutoZone Park in the first round of the postseason.
Road Warriors…
Memphis 901 FC have suffered only three losses on the road this season and are unbeaten in seven of their last eight away matches. The club boasts the second best goal differential (+13) while leading the league with only 11 goals conceded all season away from AutoZone Park.
The Race for the Golden Boot…
Phillip Goodrum has been the jet fuel as the man up top for one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league. The forward tied the club record for goals in a season with his 20th score on October 9 vs. New York Red Bulls II. The Nashville native is currently sitting in second in the USL Championship and has been named Player of the Week twice this season. Memphis is unbeaten in 15 of the 16 matches Goodrum found the back of the net, including his first career hat trick in a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United 2.
Goals Scored Leaderboard:
1 – Milan Iloski – 22
2 – Phillip Goodrum – 20
3 – Óttar Magnús Karlsson – 19
T4 – Leo Fernandes – 16
T4 – Hadji Barry – 16
The Distributors…
Memphis 901 FC boasts one of the league’s most dynamic duos in the midfield with Aaron Molloy and Jeremy Kelly. Molloy has made his hay as the squad’s primary kicktaker, tied for second in the USL with 10 assists. Kelly has been at the center of the 901 FC attack since moving from the back line this season, currently tied for fourth most assists in the USL with nine. Kelly was tabbed as the USL Championship Player of the Month in May after a stretch of three goals and three assists in four victories for 901 FC.
Assists Leaderboard:
1 – Antoine Hoppenot – 11
T2 – Aaron Molloy – 10
T2 – Kenardo Forbes – 10
T4 – Jeremy Kelly – 9
T4 – Cameron Lindley – 9
T4 – Hadji Barry – 9
Set Piece Superstar…
Aaron Molloy has made his name as one of the most dangerous legs from the set piece in the USL Championship. Seven of the midfielder’s 10 assists this season have come off of the set piece, but not before scoring his first goal of the season on a free kick strike from 20 yards out against Oakland roots on march 19. Molloy currently sits fifth in chances created with 72 this season and second in the league standings with his 10 assists.
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