MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Memphis 901 FC got two goals within three minutes in the second half and locked down on defense to pick up a 2-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC, who entered the match in sixth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
The win in front of the home faithful gives 901 FC points in seven of its last 10 matches since the beginning of May, with six of its last seven matches coming against teams currently in the playoff picture. Memphis has 14 goals in its last 10 USL Championship matches after scoring six in its first nine earlier this season.
“That’s a very talented team (Ottawa Fury FC),” 901 FC head coach Tim Mulqueen said. “They are one of the best teams in possession in the league. We knew that there was going to be moments where we had to defend, and we knew that there was going to be moments where we would have goal-scoring opportunities. We had to take care of those moments, and I think we did. I’m just really proud of the guys and their effort and commitment tonight.”
901 FC pressured Ottawa out of the halftime locker room and capitalized on an own-goal off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Three minutes later, Adam Najem ripped one to the bottom left-hand corner of the box off an assist from Brandon Allen to put 901 FC ahead 2-0.
“Soccer looks pretty when you have the ball, but at the end of the day it’s all about goals,” Najem explained. “Once that first one goes in then you have the confidence to score more. I’m glad we got that first one because we played some great soccer today. It feels even better to score two goals and win at home.”
All night long the Memphis defense did not give Ottawa much, handling its attacks every step of the way ahead of goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell. Ottawa managed 15 shots, but only four were on-target and another five were blocked, in Caldwell’s third clean sheet of the season.
“Not only are we getting the information out, but guys are listening and executing immediately,” Caldwell said regarding the defense’s communication. “That is all about trust and comfort. That’s not something you just do, that’s part of the process that you build. Everything has elevated to a degree, and that goes back to the way you communicate and respond.”
901 FC finishes a solid regular season against Ottawa, after another strong defensive effort on June 15 helped the club earn a point with an 0-0 stalemate north of the border.
“We are at the stage where we are comfortable with each other, and we’ve added some players who have understood what we want, Brandon (Allen), Lagos (Kunga) and Jochen (Graf), and all those guys that have joined us late,” Mulqueen said. “I think we are much more fluid both defensively and in the attack. I think we are starting to see what the product should be from us on a weekly basis.”
As the calendar changes to August, Memphis hits the road for a match at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (CT). 901 FC’s only home match in the month is Saturday, Aug. 10 against North Carolina FC.
Tickets for the remainder of the season are available at https://www.memphis901fc.com/tickets.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Memphis 901 FC got two goals within three minutes in the second half and locked down on defense to pick up a 2-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC, who entered the match in sixth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, Saturday night at AutoZone Park.
The win in front of the home faithful gives 901 FC points in seven of its last 10 matches since the beginning of May, with six of its last seven matches coming against teams currently in the playoff picture. Memphis has 14 goals in its last 10 USL Championship matches after scoring six in its first nine earlier this season.
“That’s a very talented team (Ottawa Fury FC),” 901 FC head coach Tim Mulqueen said. “They are one of the best teams in possession in the league. We knew that there was going to be moments where we had to defend, and we knew that there was going to be moments where we would have goal-scoring opportunities. We had to take care of those moments, and I think we did. I’m just really proud of the guys and their effort and commitment tonight.”
901 FC pressured Ottawa out of the halftime locker room and capitalized on an own-goal off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Three minutes later, Adam Najem ripped one to the bottom left-hand corner of the box off an assist from Brandon Allen to put 901 FC ahead 2-0.
“Soccer looks pretty when you have the ball, but at the end of the day it’s all about goals,” Najem explained. “Once that first one goes in then you have the confidence to score more. I’m glad we got that first one because we played some great soccer today. It feels even better to score two goals and win at home.”
All night long the Memphis defense did not give Ottawa much, handling its attacks every step of the way ahead of goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell. Ottawa managed 15 shots, but only four were on-target and another five were blocked, in Caldwell’s third clean sheet of the season.
“Not only are we getting the information out, but guys are listening and executing immediately,” Caldwell said regarding the defense’s communication. “That is all about trust and comfort. That’s not something you just do, that’s part of the process that you build. Everything has elevated to a degree, and that goes back to the way you communicate and respond.”
901 FC finishes a solid regular season against Ottawa, after another strong defensive effort on June 15 helped the club earn a point with an 0-0 stalemate north of the border.
“We are at the stage where we are comfortable with each other, and we’ve added some players who have understood what we want, Brandon (Allen), Lagos (Kunga) and Jochen (Graf), and all those guys that have joined us late,” Mulqueen said. “I think we are much more fluid both defensively and in the attack. I think we are starting to see what the product should be from us on a weekly basis.”
As the calendar changes to August, Memphis hits the road for a match at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (CT). 901 FC’s only home match in the month is Saturday, Aug. 10 against North Carolina FC.
Tickets for the remainder of the season are available at https://www.memphis901fc.com/tickets.
