El Paso, TEXAS (May 17, 2024) – Memphis 901 FC used a last-minute goal in stoppage time from Bruno Lapa to grab a 2-1 road victory at El Paso Locomotive at Southwest University Park on Friday night.
A tightly contested second half culminated in an extra time score from Lapa in the final moments of the match assisted by Marlon, who scored the first goal to equalize in the first half. The two have been the engine of the Memphis attack over the current four-match unbeaten streak with a combined eight goals and five assists in the last four weeks.
An unfortunate bounce leading to an own goal gave El Paso the lead in the 24th minute, but Memphis would answer quickly five minutes later as Marlon found space in the box to finish a header goal from Oscar Jimenez’s corner kick.
Memphis controlled the pace in the second half until Marlon used beautiful footwork to cross into Lapa who would finish with the right foot to secure three points on the road.
Memphis moved to No. 7 in the Western Conference standings with a 4-5-1 record and three victories in the last four matches.
Memphis 901 FC returns to AutoZone Park to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT followed by the first post-match firework show in club history. Memphis will host the third annual Open Community Practice on Thursday, May 23 at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
For more information on Memphis 901 FC, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
POSTGAME QUOTE SHEET
Memphis 901 FC vs. El Paso Locomotive | May 17, 2023 – Southwest University Park
HEAD COACH STEPHEN GLASS
On tonight’s performance:
“I think they get their reward again for the effort they put in. What they’ve been through this month just in terms of the travel, I think it’s been some of the toughest travel in the league, but the boys dont complain. They crack on. We train and prepare and they’re ready to win a game. It’s great for them to feel a victory in the last minutes and we’re so happy for them as a staff.”
On Marlon and Bruno Lapa:
“In the first half we had a decent number of opportunities and we could have put the game to bed then. We believed in what we were doing and got the whole squad in, which was great. The boys coming on contributed to the victory as well. Bruno and Marlon had top performances and the work rate for the team is top-level. The clinical aspect of the game has been excellent.”
On the mindset in the current unbeaten streak:
“We go week to week. Anywhere we go and anyone we play we believe we can win. I think the belief in the group is unshakable and I believe you saw that in the last minute tonight. We took it a little bit but I think we deserved what we got tonight.”
On returning home next week:
“Being back home will be nice and we look forward to it. There’s a lot of things going on around the club, obviously we’ve got our event on Thursday night which will be great for the players and especially the local kids that will come on the training park with us. Then obviously the Saturday night against Pittsburgh who are a good team. It’ll be a good challenge and we’ll look forward to enjoying the fireworks after along with a lot of Memphians in the stands.”
###
Joshua Clayton – Communications Coordinator
