USL Memphis 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC Play Birmingham Legion FC to 1-1 Draw

Published on August 14, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis 901 FC (5-5-6, 21 points) claimed a 1-1 draw with Birmingham Legion FC (10-5-3, 33 points) Saturday night at AutoZone Park. In its eleventh match holding the opposition to one goal or fewer this season, forward Kyle Murphy ensured points were shared as he scored his tenth goal of the season in the 58'.

Memphis attacked the Birmingham backline early, as Murphy nearly found a goal in the opening ten minutes of play off of a dangerous cross into the box from midfielder Kadeem Dacres. Soon thereafter, goalkeeper Brady Scott denied Legion FC's leading scorer, Neco Brett, on a one-on-one opportunity from close range. Despite the Memphis momentum, it would be Birmingham that would find the back of the net first, as Junior Flemmings poked a slow-rolling ball past Scott in the 38'.

Not long after the halftime break, Kyle Murphy found his tenth goal of the year as he headed in a Kadeem Dacres corner kick to level the match at one goal apiece. While momentum favored the home side following Murphy's 58' score, neither team was able to find the go-ahead goal and the match ended as a 1-1 draw-the fifth straight match in which Memphis has held Birmingham to one goal or fewer.

Kyle Murphy's scoring streak continued, as the forward scored his ninth goal in as many matches. Murphy's total now sits at ten on the year which ties him for most goals in a single season in club history with Brandon Allen (2019) and puts him at fourth in the league. Kadeem Dacres had an impressive evening as the midfielder led the team in shots, key passes, crosses, good crosses and duels. With his assist on Murphy's goal, Dacres' three assists on the year tie him for third-most in a single season in club history.

Memphis finds itself at seventh in the Central Division after going unbeaten in seven of its last eight matches. 901 FC are currently just a point shy of the playoff line and five points shy of third place in the tightly contested division. Additionally, Memphis have at least one match in hand on each of its divisional counterparts.

"I think the result was fair, but we're disappointed we didn't win," Head Coach Ben Pirmann said. "We faced a really good opponent, but big picture, a tie is just and fair. With 21 points in our first 16 games, we'll get better, and we'll improve every aspect from top to bottom. We have a break coming up and that'll help with some injuries.

"It feels good," Kyle Murphy said of his scoring streak. "We'd like to have three points but battling back after being a goal down is always good. We were all over them in the second half, and I think we should've won the match."

Memphis 901 FC will have the next week off before traveling to Oklahoma to face FC Tulsa on Wednesday, August 25. Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the match can be seen on CW30 Memphis and ESPN+.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 14, 2021


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