Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC (5-4-4, 19 points) will look to extend its five-match unbeaten streak and pick up its first-ever victory over OKC Energy FC (4-6-6, 18 points) as it visits Oklahoma City on Saturday. A win or a draw at Taft Stadium would give Memphis its longest unbeaten streak in club history.
901 FC picked up its second consecutive win last Sunday with a 1-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City II. Elevating himself into the Golden Boot conversation, forward Kyle Murphy scored his sixth goal in as many matches as the forward put Memphis ahead in the 12’. Later, forward Michael Salazar cemented the victory on the road with a headed goal in the 48’.
As the club has surged up the table, the individual accolades have been flowing as defender Mark Segbers earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors following a perfect assist on Salazar’s 48’ goal. Additionally, Kyle Murphy has been nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month at the back of his four July goals—two of which were match-winners.
While Memphis found success in July and early August, OKC has not had a similar experience as the Energy have picked up just one win in five tries last month. While OKC Energy FC finds itself in seventh place in the Central Division standings to Memphis’ fifth place, just one point separates seventh from third in the tightly contested division. Memphis has still played two fewer matches than any of its divisional counterparts.
Individually, OKC’s talisman, Villyan Bijev, has proven to be a problem for nearly every opponent he has faced. The Bulgarian midfielder has fit in nicely after joining OKC in march as he leads the club in goals, assists, shots and chances created. Despite the Energy’s run over the past month, Bijev has recorded a goal or an assist in six of his last nine matches. In goal, ‘keeper C.J. Cochran has recorded 37 saves and is tied for the second most clean sheets in the league with five.
For Memphis, Player of the Month nominee Kyle Murphy has scored six goals over his past six matches and guided Memphis to an unbeaten July. Murphy is tied for eighth in the league with his seven goals on the year. Defensively, Zach Carroll leads the team in clearances with 47 and is tied for second in interceptions with 19 as the defender helped limited Memphis to just two goals allowed in its last four matches. Finally, goalkeeper Kyle Morton has maintained his stellar form since joining the club on loan a month ago. Morton’s 90% save percentage is the best in the league (minimum 20 shots on target faced).
Memphis faced off against OKC Energy FC for the first time in club history back in May, playing the home side to a nil-nil draw at Taft Stadium before later succumbing to an early Bijev goal at Autozone Park in June’s 0-1 loss to the Energy. Following Saturday’s match, the Energy will return to Memphis to face 901 FC on sept. 1. This weekend’s match can be seen on CW30 Memphis and ESPN+.
For the latest information on the team, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC (5-4-4, 19 points) will look to extend its five-match unbeaten streak and pick up its first-ever victory over OKC Energy FC (4-6-6, 18 points) as it visits Oklahoma City on Saturday. A win or a draw at Taft Stadium would give Memphis its longest unbeaten streak in club history.
901 FC picked up its second consecutive win last Sunday with a 1-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City II. Elevating himself into the Golden Boot conversation, forward Kyle Murphy scored his sixth goal in as many matches as the forward put Memphis ahead in the 12’. Later, forward Michael Salazar cemented the victory on the road with a headed goal in the 48’.
As the club has surged up the table, the individual accolades have been flowing as defender Mark Segbers earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors following a perfect assist on Salazar’s 48’ goal. Additionally, Kyle Murphy has been nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month at the back of his four July goals—two of which were match-winners.
While Memphis found success in July and early August, OKC has not had a similar experience as the Energy have picked up just one win in five tries last month. While OKC Energy FC finds itself in seventh place in the Central Division standings to Memphis’ fifth place, just one point separates seventh from third in the tightly contested division. Memphis has still played two fewer matches than any of its divisional counterparts.
Individually, OKC’s talisman, Villyan Bijev, has proven to be a problem for nearly every opponent he has faced. The Bulgarian midfielder has fit in nicely after joining OKC in march as he leads the club in goals, assists, shots and chances created. Despite the Energy’s run over the past month, Bijev has recorded a goal or an assist in six of his last nine matches. In goal, ‘keeper C.J. Cochran has recorded 37 saves and is tied for the second most clean sheets in the league with five.
For Memphis, Player of the Month nominee Kyle Murphy has scored six goals over his past six matches and guided Memphis to an unbeaten July. Murphy is tied for eighth in the league with his seven goals on the year. Defensively, Zach Carroll leads the team in clearances with 47 and is tied for second in interceptions with 19 as the defender helped limited Memphis to just two goals allowed in its last four matches. Finally, goalkeeper Kyle Morton has maintained his stellar form since joining the club on loan a month ago. Morton’s 90% save percentage is the best in the league (minimum 20 shots on target faced).
Memphis faced off against OKC Energy FC for the first time in club history back in May, playing the home side to a nil-nil draw at Taft Stadium before later succumbing to an early Bijev goal at Autozone Park in June’s 0-1 loss to the Energy. Following Saturday’s match, the Energy will return to Memphis to face 901 FC on sept. 1. This weekend’s match can be seen on CW30 Memphis and ESPN+.
For the latest information on the team, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
