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USL Memphis 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC Advances to Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup After Historic Win over Hartford Athletic

May 30, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


Memphis 901 FC celebrate a goal against Hartford Athletic in the US Open Cup
Memphis 901 FC celebrate a goal against Hartford Athletic in the US Open Cup
(Memphis 901 FC)

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - Sometimes patience pays off in the most gratifying way.

And for Memphis 901 FC forward Jochen Graf, it paid off and then some Wednesday night as he scored a brace (two goals) in Memphis' 4-0 win over Hartford Athletic in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Memphis will now play a Major League Soccer (MLS) club in the fourth round of the prestigious competition.

The draw for the next round is Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

"It feels good," Graf said. "It's one of those things where it's kind of a 'monkey off your back' type of deal and now you've put the ball in the back of the net and to get a brace is even better.

"Now we can keep pushing forward and looking for more."

Graf has been anxious to put a goal in the back of the net since arriving in Memphis in late April.

Already one of the USL Championship's prolific goalscorers in the past five seasons, Graf has patiently made his mark in Memphis helping 901 FC reach historic heights in the process.

The win Wednesday night at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex was 901 FC's fifth-straight without a loss in all competitions.

It was also the largest win in club history.

"Naturally I'm tough on myself, and that's just kind of the nature I have, so any game I don't score I'm not happy about it," Graf said. "But the team was winning games and I was playing a part of it, so whatever I can do to help the team get points and help us win games, I'm happy to do it."

This historic night began with a bang as captain Marc Burch put the club up 1-0 sixth minute off a penalty kick.

With an early lead in hand, Memphis was not satisfied, a hungry moment that Graf relishes for. And in the 21st minute, Graf seized his opportunity inside the box to give Memphis a 2-0 lead headed into halftime.

When the second half whistle blew, Memphis picked up right where it left off after the first 45 minutes of play.

Graf, hungry for more, tapped in a cross from fellow forward Elliot Collier in the 59th minute to give Memphis a commanding 3-0 lead. A minute later, Hartford defender Sem de Wit picked up his second yellow card and reduced the visitors to 10-men on the pitch.

Memphis capitalized as rookie Morgan Hackworth scored his first goal as a pro and capped off the 4-0 triumph.

"The commitment that the guys have put in and the work they've putting in, we were due for something like this," 901 FC head coach Tim Mulqueen said. "The next round will be a great opportunity for them to show they belong, which I believe a lot of them do, and it's great for the club. It's great for us to advance to that stage. I think the guys will relish that opportunity."

Memphis 901 FC's USL Championship season continues Saturday as the club travels to take on Saint Louis FC. Kickoff for that match is slated for 7:00 p.m.

For the latest information on, visit www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Memphis 901 FC Starting XI

24 (GK) Scott Levene; 22 (D) Wes Charpie; 8 (D) Marc Burch ©; 15 (D) Jacob Hauser-Ramsey; 26 (D) Josh Morton; 18 (F) Elliot Collier; 21 (M) Duane Muckette; 6 (M) Dan Metzger; 10 (M) Adam Najem; 27 (M) Cam Lindley; 28 (F) Jochen Graf

Subs: 1 (GK) Jeff Caldwell; 3 (D) Abdi Mohamed; 2 (M) Morgan Hackworth; 20 (D) Todd Pratzner; 23 (M) Leston Paul; 11 (F) Lagos Kunga; 17 (M) Ewan Grandison

Substitutions: 63' Lagos Kunga on...Elliot Collier off, 67' Ewan Grandison on...Adam Najem off, 75' Morgan Hackworth on...Cam Lindley off

Goals: 6' Penalty Kick Marc Burch - Left Foot - Centre of the Box - High Centre of the Goal, 21' Jochen Graf - Right Foot - Centre of the Box - High Centre of the Goal, 59' Jochen Graf - Right Foot - Very Close Range - Centre of the Goal - Assist: Elliot Collier, 83' Morgan Hackworth - Left Foot - Very Close Range - Bottom Right Hand Corner

Hartford Athletic Starting XI

18 (GK) Jacob Lissek; 2 (D) Kyle Curinga; 4 (D) Sem De Wit; 24 (D) Logan Gdula; 3 (D) Lee Raymond; 17 (M) Jonathan Brown; 11 (M) Alex Dixon; 21 (M) Michael Downs; 10 (M) Philip Rasmussen; 9 (F) Jose Angulo; 14 (F) Ryan Williams

Subs: 16 (GK) Michael Novotny, 33 (D) Harrison Swartz, 8 (M) Mads Jorgensen, 12 (F) Wojciech Wojcik

Substitutions: 60' Wojciech Wojcik on...Jose Angulo off, 63' Mads Jorgensen on...Ryan Williams off

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Memphis 901 FC celebrate a goal against Hartford Athletic in the US Open Cup
Memphis 901 FC celebrate a goal against Hartford Athletic in the US Open Cup
   

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