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Memphis 901 FC

Memphis Drop 3-1 Contest on the Road to Louisville

October 23, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Memphis 901 FC (12-10-8, 44 points) fell 3-1 to Louisville City FC (17-7-7, 58 points) Saturday evening at Lynn Family Stadium. A trio of unlucky goals conceded were enough for Louisville to overcome a 1-1 tie just before halftime.

A quick start from both sides saw chances had on either end of the pitch. Louisville, though, opened the scoring as it's leading-scorer, Cameron Lancaster, leapt up near the goal to head in Jonathan Gomez cross in the 21'. Memphis responded in the 41' as midfielder Kadeem Dacres gathered a Laurent Kissiedou ball on the right wing, taking it down the pitch and sending a long cross into the box where forward Michael Salazar headed in the equalizer.

Working through first-half stoppage time with the 1-1 draw intact, Louisville's Lancaster ripped a shot from just inside the halfway line. The ball dipped and swayed in the rainy conditions, bouncing off the gloves of goalkeeper Cody Cropper and into the back of the net in the 45+3'. Louisville cemented their 3-1 victory with a converted Lancaster penalty in the 60', awarded due to an Alan Winn foul at the very edge of the box.

Scoring three goals in his last four matches, Michael Salazar's sixth goal of the season is the second most goals scored this year and ties Elliot Collier (2019) for the fourth most goals scored in a single season in club history. Assisting Salazar's goal, Kadeem Dacres' seventh assist of the year leads the club and ties Cameron Lindley's (2019) record of most assists in a single season. Additionally, 17-year-old academy product Max Talley made his professional debut, coming on in the 79'. Talley is the third academy product to see the pitch this season along with Matt Brucker and Tycho Collins.

"We played a very good game against a very good opponent," Head Coach Ben Pirmann admitted. "A couple breaks went their way, but we also shouldn't hurt ourselves. We're also missing six key players and we had to play guys out of position which was tough. Big picture, though, I'm beyond proud of the guys and proud of Max Talley for making his proper debut.

"For us, we'll take this, take a step forward and get a little bit better," Pirmann added. "We have a big midweek match coming up against FC Tulsa on Wednesday, but I never have any doubt about this team's fight and determination."

While already having clinched a postseason spot, Memphis 901 FC can still earn the three seed in the Central Division. A win on Wednesday night over FC Tulsa would lock up the third spot in the division while a draw would mean Memphis must win on the final day of the season to clinch, regardless of Tulsa's outcome on Saturday. A loss by a margin of three goals or fewer on Wednesday to FC Tulsa would mean Memphis could only clinch the three seed on the final day of the season with a win and a Tulsa loss. A loss by four or more goals on Wednesday would earn Memphis the four seed and lock in a trip to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the first round of the playoffs.

Next time out, Memphis will face FC Tulsa in a crucial divisional matchup that will go a long way in determining which playoff-bound side can lock up the three seed and avoid a trip to Tampa. Kickoff from AutoZone Park is set for 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 27. 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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