Last Saturday’s game was a chance for Memphis to lay down a marker ahead of its home playoff match this weekend. And by the time Dylan Borczak thundered in the final goal of Memphis’ 3-0 win against FC Tulsa, 901 FC made sure that all comers would be on high alert walking into AutoZone Park over the next few weeks. The positive, ruthless, front-foot performance was the perfect tone to set before Memphis embarks on its playoff run.
On paper, Memphis looked like the odds-on favorite to win this match, such is their impressive away form this season. In reality, it was a straightforward victory for 901 FC. The teams enjoyed even possession, but Memphis shot straight out of the blocks, pinging the ball around with intent and creating chance after chance while Tulsa labored to get any sort of rhythm. We saw plenty of the hallmarks of head coach Ben Pirmann’s side this season, chief among them Phillip Goodrum’s blazing hot goal-scoring form.
The forward made 901 FC history in the ninth minute, converting Leston Paul’s delivery with a diving header past Tulsa goalkeeper Dallas Odle to score his 21st goal of the season. That took him one clear of Kyle Murphy’s record of 20 goals, set last season. That’s a stellar haul for any forward, and unfortunately Goodrum just missed out on being this year’s golden boot winner. Orange County SC’s Milan Iloski, over in the Western Conference, took home the award with 22 goals.
Goodrum unfortunately had to be subbed out before halftime, and hopefully he’ll be firing on all cylinders and fully fit for the Eastern Conference round of 16. But that was the only low mark for the game. Luiz Fernando continued his habit of twisting, turning, and confounding opposition defenders, this time to tangible effect when he drew a penalty from his marker, which midfielder Aaron Molloy duly dispatched. A note about Molloy: He’s been on the bench only once for 901 FC this season. Out of 34 total matches, it’s 33 games, and 33 starts for the Irishman. That speaks to his influence in the middle of the park, and it’s been a great personal season for him with eight goals and 11 assists to his name.
Laurent Kissiedou floated through the final third time and again, untouchable as always, while captain Leston Paul held everything together in the center of the park and even grabbed an assist for Goodrum’s opener. At the back, it was great to see John Berner get another appearance in goal after a long series of injuries. The backline ahead of him once again stood firm to keep a clean sheet.
Memphis closes the regular season having locked up the second seed in the Eastern Conference after a 21-8-5 record, setting a club record for wins, points (68), and goals scored (67). Much of that was built on rock-solid away form and Memphis’ ability to build on confident first-half performances. (Memphis kept opponents scoreless in the first half in 22 of their 34 matches.)
With a best-ever season under their belt and having proven they can beat anyone, the players should feel confident that they can go all the way this season. And the second seed means that Memphis will enjoy home field advantage at AutoZone Park in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The win against Tulsa was the perfect warm-up, but the business end of the season starts now. This Saturday, 901 FC welcome their first playoff opponent, Detroit City FC, at 8 p.m. The Bluff City Mafia will be out there doing their part, but it’s up to the rest of the fans to fill out the stadium and create a rocking atmosphere. After all, big things may lie in wait down the line.