PHOENIX — Memphis 901 FC grabbed a gutsy three points on the road with a 1-0 win over reigning USL Champions, Phoenix Rising FC at Phoenix Rising Stadium on Saturday night.
“We talked before the game about it being a long time since we actually won on the road," head coach Stephen Glass said. "We wanted to put that right knowing that we might have to do that in the playoffs. I think we showed the spirit and the quality tonight. I think it’s a group that doesn’t fear anyone. We’re looking forward to the next few weeks.”
The victory keeps the Beale Street Boys in the hunt for a top-four finish and their third consecutive home playoff match. Memphis sits in fifth spot, one point behind No. 4 Colorado Springs going into the final match of the season.
The two clubs took their turns jabbing for weaknesses in defense until Dylan Borczak opened the scoring in the 44th minute. Jon Bakero found space on the perimeter and fired a cross into the center of the box for Borczak, who finished a contested header into the net. The score was Borczak’s fourth of the season and Bakero’s first assist.
Memphis forced four saves on five shots on target while preventing Phoenix from putting a single shot on the net. Memphis swept the season series against Phoenix by a combined score of 6-1. Memphis is unbeaten in their last 10 matches after leading at halftime with eight wins and two draws in that span.
With a victory over No. 1 in the West, New Mexico United next Saturday, Oct. 26, Memphis could jump as high as second place.
“We just focus one week at a time," Glass said. "We know it’s going to be difficult against New Mexico. We’re finding it difficult every week and a lot of the refereeing decisions continue to go against us. Tonight the correct decision ultimately was given when the penalty was rescinded, but in our league, that’s not allowed to happen. Something happened between the head referee giving the penalty kick mistakenly. It took so long, there’s no way the other officials did not see the video that was on loop showing that it wasn't a penalty kick. It is unbelievable that it happens in this league.”
Las Vegas are currently in second on 50 points, Sacramento Republic are in third on 49 points and Colorado Springs are in fourth also on 49 points. Las Vegas will play North Carolina while Colorado Springs and Sacramento will play each other.
