On the way up to Indianapolis, it was no surprise that there were a few empty seats on the Memphis 901 FC bus. Due to suspension, injury, and international duty, the team was missing a total of six players. Much of the pre-match chatter didn’t give Bluff City much of a chance, but try telling that to the players. In adverse circumstances, 901 FC showed grit and character to produce an excellent 2-1 victory over former conference leaders, Indy Eleven.
Blitzkrieg Attack
Kadeem Dacres had been the catalyst for everything good coming out of 901 FC offensively. But with Dacres having picked up a second yellow card and dismissal in the last match for simulation, head coach Ben Pirmann would have to plan for an attack without its fulcrum. Dacres’ return will only be a good thing for the team, but he almost wasn’t even missed as Memphis roared into the lead within three minutes. Laurent Kissiedou (later named to the USL Championship Team of the Week) took down a high ball with aplomb and turned before splitting the defense with a slick through ball for Michael Salazar, who took the ball into stride and finished calmly past Indy goalkeeper Jordan Farr.
Salazar was involved again in the 35th minute, pressuring Aboubacar Sissoko into a turnover and driving into the Indy box unimpeded. The ball eventually fell to forward Kyle Murphy, who gleefully accepted the chance and made it 2-0 to Memphis. Meanwhile, Kissiedou continued his fine run of form. Nominally a playmaker, the midfielder has pitched in at both ends of the field so far this season, providing some penetrating runs and passes up top and dropping back to shield the defense when out of position. He was unfortunate to miss out on a goal but was a constant thorn in Indy’s side all match with clever flicks and tricks. And if that wasn’t enough, fullback Mark Segbers pitched in, too, with one phenomenal run in the 56th to beat four defenders and get a shot away. There’s plenty of firepower here, and this team still hasn’t even had time to gel yet.
Midfield on Lock
Mitch Guitar got a first start of the season next to Leston Paul, and together, the two formed an impenetrable wall. They were hungrier for 50-50 balls, and routinely shut down any of Indy’s attempts at building an attack. When they did recover the ball, they weren’t afraid to do something with it either, as epitomized by Guitar’s solo run in the 77th minute before playing in Kissiedou for a chance.
Francis Atuahene, for his part, acted as an effective ball shuttler for his 67 minutes on the field. Whenever he’d receive the ball under pressure, it was more likely than not that he’d turn his way out of trouble and charge into the open field ahead of him. He, Guitar, and Paul were crucial in acting as the springboard of Memphis’ attack, turning defense into offense in the blink of an eye. And whenever Indy did break through their screen, the defense, and fullback Andre Reynolds in particular, completely shut down whatever Indy was able to throw at them.
Of course, Indy did find a way through with a scrappy goal in the 96th minute to pull back a consolation. And there has to be a mention of Indy forward Manuel Arteaga’s howitzer strike in the 16th minute that the ref didn’t see go over the line. That was a big blow to Indy’s confidence, but sometimes the breaks don’t go your way. But on the balance of play, this was Memphis’ win.
Youth Movement
A lack of available players might have impeded 901 FC’s chances on another day, but this time around it was a sweet moment for two of the organization’s academy players. Tycho Collins and Collierville High School’s Matt Brucker both took to the field in stoppage time for their first-ever professional appearances. There wasn’t a whole lot of time left, but it will certainly be a moment to savor in their young careers.
Memphis 901 FC faces Louisville City away next Saturday, June 12th, at 6:30 p.m.
