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USL Memphis 901 FC

Kyle Murphy Named USL Championship Player of the Month for October

November 11, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Kyle Murphy has been named the USL Championship Player of the Month for October after recording five goals and an assist in seven matches played. The recognition is just the second such honor in club history after Murphy earned Player of the Month recognition in July.

Murphy received 36% of votes in a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com.

Murphy opened his October account on Oct. 6 with a brace to secure a come-from-behind victory over Sporting Kansas City II. In the 20', Kadeem Dacres turned on a Kansas City defender and lofted a ball toward the back post, over the gloves of the SKC II 'keeper and off the head of Murphy. Following the break, Murphy stepped up to the spot and slotted home his 17th goal of the year via a converted penalty to give Memphis its first lead of the match.

In his match against Atlanta United 2 on Oct. 16, Murphy capped off a trio of Memphis scores in 10 minutes, by sending home a perfect ball from Laurent Kissiedou to extend Memphis' lead to a pair of goals in the 60'. On Oct. 27 against FC Tulsa in a crucial divisional matchup, Kyle Murphy scored the match-winner in the 75' off a low cross from Mark Segbers just over a minute after Tulsa equalized. Murphy would score his fifth goal of the month in a 3-0 victory over Indy Eleven in the final match of the regular season on Oct. 30.

"It feels great," said Murphy. "Throughout the whole year, we had a goal of making the playoffs, and we had a really strong finish to the season in October. I always try to help the team however I can, and to help us solidify that playoff spot and earn third place was huge for me.

"It was a target that I had ever since I hit 15 [goals]. I told myself I needed to get to 20," Murphy added. "I had that target and to be able to achieve it was huge for me. I'm proud of the work that I put in, and I'm proud of my teammates for helping and giving me great services and opportunities to score and achieve my own personal goal."

Capping off a record-breaking 2021 campaign, Kyle Murphy's goal in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Charlotte Independence tied him with Nashville SC's Daniel Armando Ríos (2019) for the most goals scored in a single season in the history of professional soccer in Tennessee. Additionally, Murphy became just one of ten players in league history to record 20 goals in a single regular season.

"This is another tremendous honor for Kyle and our club," Head Coach Ben Pirmann said. "We're so proud of the work that he and the team have put in, and I'm excited for him to earn yet another accolade."

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