Tag: Atlanta United 2

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Goalkeeper Chaos as 901 FC Secures Victory in Home Opener

Mark Segbers played as an emergency goalkeeper after John Berner's injury in Memphis' win over Atlanta. (Credit: Memphis 901 FC)

It all looked pretty cut and dried when Skylar Thomas thundered home a header to give Memphis the lead in the second half of its home opener at AutoZone Park. Having played with a man advantage for most of the game, all 901 FC needed was to pass the ball around and run down the clock, or nick a second goal on the break while Atlanta left gaps open at the back. But it’s never that simple, is it? When goalkeeper John Berner went down with an injury near the end of the match, it was up to defender-turned-emergency goalkeeper Mark Segbers to don the gloves and see out a 1-0 home victory for Memphis.

Memphis High Pressing Machine

Coach Ben Pirmann’s game plan continues to pay dividends, at least when it comes to chances created. Despite ceding most of the possession, Memphis loves to get bodies forward into attack, especially after snapping on the heels of Atlanta’s shell-shocked defenders. We saw a great example of that early on, when Kadeem Dacres pickpocketed a defender in the 9th minute and raced towards goal, only to see his shot go narrowly wide of the post. 

The high press also saw Atlanta United 2 reduced to ten men in the 36th minute. Dre Fortune nicked the ball off his brother, Atlanta midfielder Ajani Fortune, who in return promptly hauled down his sibling with a tackle more at home at a tense family Thanksgiving football game than a soccer match. That gave Memphis 55 minutes left to play with a numerical advantage. Attackers continued to exploit the extra space after Atlanta turnovers, creating plenty of quality chances, but the right final pass and finishing just weren’t there for Memphis from open play last night.

But that’s ok. A win is a win, and fans saw a dramatic victory play out while Pirmann is still fine tuning the squad. There’s a firm identity already in place, something that we haven’t really seen from 901 FC in the past two seasons. While there might be a long way to go, Pirmann has said he’s ready to put in the work to make Memphis a contender.

Set Piece Solution

For all of Memphis’ aggressive attacking play, it was a set piece that finally saw the team break through in the 75th minute. Laurent Kissiedou whipped in a corner, and Thomas rose head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd to put it past Atlanta goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo for the winner. 

But this wasn’t just a lucky corner goal. Memphis had dominated set pieces all game. Just one glance at the field saw a significant height superiority for the home side, and Pirmann took full advantage of that. We frequently saw corners hit to the far post, where a much taller Memphis player would be stationed to head it back across goal to an open man. They didn’t always find their mark, but having big men like Thomas up there always gives an extra option. Look for the team to go back to this well throughout the season.

Superman Mark Segbers Between the Sticks

What should have been a comfortable win suddenly twisted into ten minutes of nerve-wracking anxiety when Berner went down in stoppage time with a no-contact injury. After limping off the field, the horror set in that Memphis had already used its five substitutions, which meant that there was no opportunity to send another goalkeeper onto the field.

Enter fullback Segbers, who quickly pulled on the green goalkeeper jersey and a pair of gloves and sat between the sticks, ready to do his part to secure the win. Atlanta players, meanwhile, were licking their lips. Segbers’ move meant that both teams were now down to ten outfield players, and Atlanta commenced its air raid. And while Memphis held down the fort admirably, one defensive mixup almost saw the three points slip away. 

A miskicked clearance led to a ball cut back into the six yard box, where it looked like Atlanta’s Conner Stanley would surely pounce and secure a draw. But Segbers said no. Anticipating the danger, he raced off his line and slid in feet first to smother the shot and save the day for Memphis 901 FC in the 97th minute. Cue jubilant pandemonium from the 5,000+ crowd at AutoZone Park, who had likely been chewing their nails off while waiting for the ref to blow his whistle.

And blow he did, officially marking a victory for Memphis’ home opener. The team’s record now stands at 2-2-2, placing it six of eight in the Central Division on eight points. However, Memphis has played fewer games than every other team in the group, so a few more good results could see the team rocket up the standings.

After a daunting five game road trip to open the season, Memphis has back to back home games, with OKC Energy up next at AutoZone Park this Saturday, June 19th, at 7:30 p.m.

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Transitions Key as Memphis 901 FC Secures a Point in Atlanta

901 FC defender Andre Reynolds emerges victorious from a challenge with Atlanta's Aiden McFadden. (photo courtesy Atlanta United)

On Sunday, Memphis 901 FC rolled up to Atlanta United 2 in sweltering 90 degree heat for their second match of the season. For the most part, we saw an assured performance from coach Ben Pirmann’s crew, with plenty of solidity at the back and a number of quality chances going forward. And while 901 FC walked away with a point after the 2-2 draw, the 90 minutes showcased plenty of promise for the rest of the season. Here are a few things that we glimpsed in yesterday’s match.

Transition, Transition, Transition

Whenever the home team turned the ball over, we suddenly bore witness to the Atlantean Wile E. Coyotes futilely chasing after Memphis’ roadrunners. On paper, it looked like Pirmann set his charges up in a 4-4-2 formation, perfect for soaking up pressure defensively and launching attacks the other way after a turnover. Time and again, passes were quickly pinged up to either the front two of Dre Fortune and Michael Salazar, or kicked up to wide players Kadeem Dacres and Francis Atuahene. In the middle of pitch, Laurent Kissiedou and Dominic Oduro would offer passing options to their defenders, sucking in the Atlanta United 2 press before switching the play to the opposite flank, with fullback Mark Segbers usually the recipient on the right. With the home side struggling to contain Memphis pouring numbers forward on the break, 901 FC players consistently worked the ball into great goal scoring positions, and the team easily could have scored three or four on the night with a little more composure.

On the flip side, there’s a little more work to be done for defensive transitions. Perhaps cognizant of the long ball from which they conceded last week against Birmingham, the Memphis defense didn’t push up as much to join their marauding attackers. Atlanta sometimes found it easy to run straight through the heart of the pitch after 901 FC had committed players forward, and a focus on getting back into shape quickly will help curb the number of opportunities for opponents. Being just that little bit more attentive after a turnover will help immensely, both at the front and at the back. But overall, Memphis did well to eliminate any good looks for the Atlanta attack.

Kadeem Dacres the Offensive Fulcrum

When 901 FC advanced the ball into dangerous positions, it was more than likely that new signing and Buff City Soap Man of the Match Kadeem Dacres was involved. He was the brightest spot among 901 FC’s buccaneering attack yesterday, cutting inside to shoot, popping up in the box unmarked, or playing creator for teammates. Dacres slotted home Segbers cross to tie the game at 1-1 right before halftime, and also slipped a nice through ball to Kissiedou to put Memphis up 2-1 in the 73rd. 

Many Atlanta players were chasing his shadow all night long, and he mixed well with most of his teammates. Based on this showing, the player to build the attack around going forward is Dacres.

The Segbers Express Motors Onward

Last season, Mark Segbers was one of the most important players for 901 FC’s attack, with the fullback unafraid to charge upfield and get to the byline for crosses. He continued that fine form today, claiming an assist via his cross for Memphis’ opener. Plenty of other times, he charged down an empty right flank when Atlanta had shifted over to the other side of the pitch. That tireless running is a huge weapon for Memphis, able to stretch or overload the opposition defense. Expect plenty more Segbers action throughout the season.

Late Concession Can’t Take Away From a Good Performance

The admittedly well-taken equalizing goal from Atlanta’s Aiden McFadden — scored in the 93rd minute and after the home team had been reduced to 10 men — soured the mood for Pirmann and co. But the late goal can’t take away from the fact that Memphis executed its game plan from the first minute to the last, keeping the home side at bay and creating more quality scoring chances. That’s a far cry from last season, when 901 FC would put in a good performance for 60 or so minutes before things started to crumble. 

Memphis goalkeeper John Berner starts a play out of the back for Memphis 901 FC. (photo courtesy Atlanta United).

But this is a new group of players, and they’ve clearly already developed some chemistry despite so many being late additions to the roster. Both of Atlanta’s goals (a free kick and the impressive “right-place, right-time” volley from McFadden after goalkeeper John Berner palmed away a cross) weren’t the results of gaps in Memphis’ pattern of play. It’s unlucky, but Pirmann has to be encouraged. There are plenty of pieces to work with, and the players who started Sunday’s match against Atlanta showed off some of the excitement we can expect from the team’s attacking weapons this season.

Memphis 901 FC’s next match is at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday, May 29, away to OKC Energy FC.

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Promising Signs for 901 FC In Atlanta Draw

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Atlanta United 2

After a tough return to action in Birmingham, 901 FC had a lot to work on in the next game against Atlanta United 2. In response, the team came firing out of the blocks against a young Atlanta squad. While the game was full of moments that could have swung the result either way, a 2-2 draw meant that Memphis earned its first point of the season.

There are two truths from last Saturday’s performance: the defense still needs work, and our strikers definitely have goals in them this season. On the attacking end, we saw some recognizable patterns of play that should stick around as the season continues. Let’s take a closer look at what worked, and what didn’t, during key plays from the match.

Photo courtesy Atlanta United 2

Memphis’ Liam Doyle wins a header over Atlanta’s Phillip Goodrum

In the first half, Memphis used its superior strength to win both physical and psychological duels with players. Centerback Liam Doyle led the charge with aggressive challenges on Atlanta attackers to win balls near the halfway line. This caused them to hesitate when going into challenges. In the 15th minute, this manifested with Segbers intercepting a ball in the final third and kicking it out to Pierre da Silva on the right wing. Segbers, playing at fullback but traditionally a winger, used his attacking instincts to make a run down the inside right channel into the box. This pulled attention from several members of the Atlanta defense, giving da Silva time and space to pick out a cross to forward Brandon Allen on the far post, which he headed over the bar.

While that pattern didn’t produce a goal, there were several similar instances throughout the game on both flanks with Allen on the end. Those sequences didn’t pay off today, but enough chances and Allen (one of the highest-scoring active players in the USL at the moment) will put them away. He did, however, get the equalizer at 1-1 when nodding in at the back post during a corner kick.

Working the flanks also paid dividends when 901 FC equalized to make it 2-2 in the 93rd minute. University of Memphis alum Raul Gonzalez (making his first appearance for 901 FC after sustaining a season-ending knee injury last pre-season) whipped in a cross off the right flank for new signing Cal Jennings. The substitute forward collected the ball on the edge of the box and took it to the byline, where he cut back and squeezed a shot in at the near post to make it 2-2. When a team has smart forwards like Allen and Jennings, they can take advantage of space in the box in crucial moments, as we saw last Saturday. On another note, Memphis is great at creating shooting chances at the top of the box. Many of these opportunities have been blocked or off target, but eventually, they’ll start to go in.

The defensive side of 901 FC’s game, however, still needs some fine-tuning. The first goal conceded was well worked by Atlanta, but Memphis keeper Jimmy Hague (standing in for Tim Howard) probably should have done a bit better since the shot was directly at him. Atlanta’s second, however, came from poor positioning in the second half. 

Opposing defender Mo Jadama burst forward looking for a pass, and Doyle stepped up to put pressure behind an Atlanta attacker. Fellow centerback Triston Hodge (filling in for the suspended Zach Carroll) stepped up with Doyle, but fullbacks Segbers and Rece Buckmaster both maintained their previous positions, breaking Memphis’ defensive line and allowing Jadama to slip a through-ball to 16-year-old (!) Coleman Gannon. The forward raced into the box, both onside and completely unimpeded, to put Atlanta ahead.

There are other defensive issues to sort out, as well. The defensive line hasn’t been as steady so far this season as it was last year. On the right and left side, both fullbacks occasionally over-commit to aerial balls, leaving attackers swathes of space to charge toward the box. Covering midfielders should be aware of these tendencies and be able to adjust accordingly.  It’s a big ask, but having a vocal presence, either in goal or the backline, will help players be in the right place at the right time.

Still work to be done, but last Saturday’s draw was a much-improved performance after the loss in Birmingham. Getting both strikers on the score sheet is a fantastic lead-in to a trio of games at AutoZone Park. 901 FC’s first home match of the restart is this Saturday against Charlotte Independence, who has yet to play since the USL season resumed. For some live game updates that evening, catch me on twitter: @ciccispizza.

901 FC plays at home against Charlotte Independence this Saturday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m.