Memphis, Tenn – Memphis 901 FC’s historic season came to an end with a 1-0 stoppage time loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park.
Two penalty kicks in stoppage time on each side of the pitch proved to be the difference in the tight matchup between the defending Eastern Conference champion and the challengers from Memphis. Tampa Bay’s Leo Fernandes put away the decider on his penalty kick in the 98th minute.
Memphis spent most of the first half attacking Tampa Bay’s third of the field with 64% of possession in the opening 45 minutes. 901 FC recorded six shots while holding the Rowdies to only two shots on five touches in the Memphis 18-yard box.
The match remained scoreless despite a relentless Memphis attack in the second half until a 92nd minute Jordan Scarlett foul on Phillip Goodrum inside the box put Aaron Molloy at the spot for a potential game winner in stoppage time. A diving save from Rowdies’ keeper Philip Breno denied the go-ahead goal from Molloy.
The Rowdies went on the counterattack quickly, gaining ground in the Memphis box before a Trey Muse foul resulted in the converted penalty from Fernandes to put the Rowdies on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Memphis 901 FC finished the 2022 season with a 22-8-6 record, setting club records for wins, points and goals before delivering the club’s first ever postseason victory in a 3-1 win over Detroit City FC.
For more information on Memphis 901 FC, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
