MEMPHIS, Tenn — Memphis 901 FC’s 2024 season ended in a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Orange County in the USL Championship Western Conference Semifinal at AutoZone Park on Saturday.
This defeat also marked 901 FC’s first home loss since April 20, ending their impressive 13-match unbeaten streak at AutoZone Park.
Both teams played out a fairly even 120 minutes but 901 FC faltered in the final minutes.
"I think we weren't great in the first half," Memphis 901 FC manager Stephen Glass said. "We knew we had to get to halftime and make some tactical adjustments. The players handled it really well. We looked like the team when we had 11 on the field. Probably a moment of madness cost us. The boys that were left behind including the substitutes were unbelievable. The effort was great to keep a team at bay and we get done in by a set piece. We were obviously massively disappointed given the effort that we put in today.”
Memphis forward Jon Bakero nearly sent the crowd into a frenzy in the opening 10 minutes but his shot trickled wide of the post.
Orange County's high press troubled Memphis throughout the first half but OC were unable to capitalize and ended the half with zero shots on target.
901 FC looked the better side to start the second half but in the 79' minute the match turn on its head. Substitute Lucas Turci was given a second yellow for using his elbow to foul the player away from the ball and Memphis had to finish out the match with 10 men.
Down to 10 players for over 40 minutes, Memphis defended resiliently until Orange County broke the deadlock with just five minutes left in extra time.
With four minutes to go in extra time Orange County broke the deadlock thanks to a dinked header by Dillon Powers.
901 FC concluded the season with a third consecutive top-four finish, boasting the highest-scoring offense in the Western Conference. The team will return to AutoZone Park in 2025 for their seventh season.