MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis 901 FC showcased the talents of their new additions, earning a hard-fought point with a goalless draw against El Paso Locomotive at AutoZone Park on Saturday night.
New additions, goalkeeper Triston Henry and forward Jon Bakero, impressed in the starting XI while Panagiotis Armenakas made his debut for Memphis in the second half.
Henry made five saves, three inside the box, to maintain his second clean sheet for 901 FC in as many starts.
“He’s done well. Not to say Tyler [Deric] hasn’t done well too,” said 901 FC manager Stephen Glass. “He’s come in and made some really good saves at opportune moments where the game could potentially be turning. I think his save tonight… It was fantastic. Like I said the other day, some of the saves were expected and the one outrageous one was a top-class save. I'm sure he’ll go home happy with his clean sheet and his real part in it tonight. We’re delighted with what he’s given us here.”
Memphis pressured El Paso's goal throughout the game but couldn't find their shooting boots.
901 FC created five clear-cut chances and 19 shots, with six on target.
“We came in looking for three points and we’re disappointed not to get them,” Glass said. “We have enough respect for the opponent, and we know it’s difficult. There are no givens that you get three points every night. It’s not a surprise when teams come in and they’re difficult to break down. I think we did enough to win, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be."
Starboy Nighte Pickering came close just over 20 minutes into the second half but saw his point-blank range shot parried wide by goalkeeper Jahmali Waite.
With nine minutes remaining in regulation, Armenakas made a slaloming run down the left wing and played a perfectly weighted pass to fellow substitute Marlon, but the Brazilian saw his effort sail wide.
Defensively, Memphis did not allow El Paso any breathing room.
The Locomotive managed one clear-cut chance and five shots on target.
"We were strong enough not to concede when they had their opportunities as well. Defensively, we were fairly sound, but at the top end of the pitch we didn't do enough with the opportunities we had to win.”
Despite 901 FC missing out on all three points, there were some positives to take away.
Henry has impressed in goal during his first two appearances.
Bakero looked like he is building chemistry with his teammates after only being around the team for two weeks.
And the newest addition, Armenakas, impressed off the bench. The Aussie looks like he could be a perfect fit for Glass' system.
“I think the positivity that we know he has,” Glass said. “I think he fit in really well and was dangerous when he came on. We looked like we were willing to gamble a little bit and more threatening strangely as we made better chances in the first half. We did look a little bit more positive and I think he can scare teams. He’s got that presence about him too. I think he’s going to fit in really well and help us as a team that has really good firepower. I think you can see he wasn’t truly fit the way he’s not been training and playing in the past weeks. I think he got almost cast aside over there judging by what they were saying. We’re paying the price for that a little bit but we’re delighted he’s here and looking forward to what he’s going to give us.”
Memphis remains fourth in the USL Western Conference standings. They will play on the road against former manager Ben Pirmann and the Charleston Battery next Saturday.