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USL Memphis 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC Welcome OKC Energy FC to AutoZone Park

June 18, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis 901 FC has a quick turnaround as it welcomes OKC Energy FC to AutoZone Park just four days after defeating Atlanta United 2 in its home opener Wednesday night.

In a match that saw an early Atlanta ejection, a late Skylar Thomas goal and a field player forced to replace John Berner in goal, Memphis 901 FC secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday. The match started off with an early pair of yellow cards to Atlanta's Ajani Forune, the brother of Memphis' Dre Fortune. Following his ejection in the 36', Memphis controlled the pace of the match and took advantage of the personnel situation.

For the early portion of the second half, Memphis searched for the go-ahead goal before finally finding it in the form of a Skylar Thomas header off a Laurent Kissiedou corner kick in the 75'. While elation followed, the mood quickly shifted as goalkeeper John Berner was forced to exit the match in stoppage time with a lower-body injury. The club announced on Thursday that Berner had surgery Friday morning and will remain out indefinitely. Stepping up, defender Mark Segbers filled the void in goal and miraculously recorded two saves en route to a shutout victory at home.

As Memphis will remain at home, the club welcomes in OKC Energy FC, a team 901 FC faced for the first time earlier in the season. Since last month's scoreless draw with Memphis, the Energy recorded a draw with Indy Eleven before losing to Birmingham Legion FC. OKC currently sit at last place in the Central Division and are winless on the year.

With four draws and four losses, OKC look to claim their first win of the season as they venture to AutoZone Park win a new man at the helm in Interim Head Coach Leigh Veidman. Statistically, the club is currently struggling, but the side does have a few key contributors that can quickly change a match. Midfielder Villyan Bijev is having a strong start to the season as the Bulgarian is tied for the team-lead in goals with two and leads the club in assists and shots. Defensively, OKC will rely on Connor Donovan, Mitchell Osmond, Samuel Rogers and Robert Coronado as the quartet of defenders has 89 clearances and 62 interceptions between the four.

With the only other previous meeting coming to an anticlimactic 0-0 draw in Oklahoma City, Memphis will look to grab three points to further elevate them in the table. Saturday's match will kick off at AutoZone Park at 7:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on CW30 Memphis and ESPN+. Ticket information can be found here.

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

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