Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC returns to AutoZone Park following back-to-back road matches to take on Hartford Athletic on Saturday night. Hartford is the second match for Memphis this week after their 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday night at MSU Soccer Park.
Memphis moved to 13-5-3 on the season and moved up to the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference standings after earning three points in their win over New York. 901 FC looks to add another three points on short rest against hartford.
Hartford currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points in 22 matches and their last victory coming against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on June 28. Hartford has earned one point in their past five matches and is tied for 22nd in the league in conversion rate at 12%, but maintains possession well with 81% passing accuracy, tied for fourth in the league.
901 FC is coming up on their second match of the week after getting back in the win column and pushing back into the top three of the Eastern Conference standings. Hartford is looking to add their fifth win of the season, as they’ve struggled in matches both home and away.
Memphis will be without star forward Phillip Goodrum after an eighth yellow card in their match on Wednesday.
Memphis and Hartford each took one point away in their match on June 11, with both teams netting one goal. 901 FC came from behind as Phillip Goodrum put the ball in the back of the net to secure the point for Memphis and tally his eighth goal of the season.
Memphis looks to keep pushing their attack in the second half of the season to keep their route to the playoffs intact as the race for the top spots are beginning to get locked in.
Quotables
“The first thought is recovery. The tactical and speed of play preparation for us is going to be non-existent. The preparation is 100% recovery and preparation for guys that didn’t get as many minutes tonight. We have to recover, we have to take care of our bodies and use the resources at hand. The second thing is getting buttoned up for a good Hartford team that has been trending upwards. We dropped points at their place and we’ve got a 50-50 match on our hands against a high quality Hartford team. Hopefully we can be at home and use that emotion to our advantage. Hopefully we can drive on that and create goals.” – Ben Pirmann
History in the making…
Memphis 901 FC is currently enjoying their best season since its start in the Bluff City in 2019. After a playoff appearance last season, the club has established itself as a title contender with only five losses in 21 matches played. The battle at the top of the eastern conference has only intensified entering the second half of the season with the top five teams sitting within single digits of the number one spot. Memphis currently sits in third after a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls II.
#DefendMemphis…
Memphis 901 FC have defended AutoZone Park with only three losses in their 11 matches at home. The Boys in Blue managed a six-match home winning streak going back to May 14 while averaging 3.60 goals per match and +14 goal differential, putting 901 FC in the top three in both categories in the league.
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 has netted 13 goals this season, currently tied for third in the usl championship. Memphis is unbeaten in the 11 of the 12 matches Goodrum found the back of the net including a 5-2 statement victory on june 5 when he scored two goals against his former club atlanta united 2.
Goals Scored Leaderboard:
1 – Milan Iloski – 16
2 – Ottar Magnus Karlsson – 15
3 – Phillip Goodrum – 13
T3 – Preston Judd – 12
T3 – Hadji Barry – 12
The Distributor…
Memphis 901 FC boasts one of the most dynamic duo of midfielders in the usl championship with both Jeremy Jelly and Aaron Molloy near the top of the league in assists. Kelly has been at the center of the 901 FC attack since moving from the back line this season, tied for third in the league with seven assists in 21 appearances while Molloy has made his hay as the squad’s primary kickstarter with seven assists. 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 while Molloy has picked up six team of the week nods this season.
Assists Leaderboard:
T1 – hadji barry – 8
T1 – kenardo forbes – 8
T3- Jeremy Kelly – 7
T3 – Aaron Molloy – 7
T3 – hugh alexander dixon – 7
Set Piece Superstar…
Aaron Molloy has made his name as one of the most dangerous legs from the set piece in the USL Championship. Six of the midfielder’s seven 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 is currently tied for ninth in chances created with 34 this season and tied fourth with his six assists.
