'Elation to despair': Memphis 901 FC knocked out of USL Championship playoffs
In what might be one of the wildest finishes to a USL Championship playoff match, Memphis 901 FC lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Eastern Conference semifinal 1-0 on Sunday evening at AutoZone Park.
The match saw two penalties awarded deep in second-half stoppage time. The first, awarded to 901 FC when Memphis striker Phillip Goodrum was taken out pursuing a ball in the penalty box, was taken by midfielder Aaron Molloy but saved by Rowdies keeper Phil Breno.
Seconds later, Tampa was awarded a penalty after a foul by Memphis goalkeeper Trey Muse. Midfielder Leo Fernandes stepped up for the Rowdies and slotted it past Muse for the win in the 99th minute.
The loss knocks Memphis out of the playoffs. Tampa Bay progresses to the Eastern Conference finals for the third straight year and will play Louisville next weekend to vie for the championship match.
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“You go from elation to devastation in the span of half a minute" Memphis coach Ben Pirmann said. "Unfortunately, that happens and unfortunately, we’re the one that suffered."
A chippy match that saw nine yellow cards issued, including to Pirmann, Memphis enjoyed the bulk of the possession and most of the scoring opportunities. Memphis took 13 shots, 2 on goal, to Tampa’s seven shots with one on goal, the game-winner.
Pirmann said Memphis was the better team Sunday, but Tampa Bay knew better how to claw out a win.
“Full credit to Tampa…but I’m gutted, I’m gutted for the guys,” he said. “But if you step back and look at it…holy cow, what a season.”
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Despite the disappointment in the result, many of the more than 6,000 fans in attendance stayed well after the final whistle to show their support for the coaches and players who had put together the young franchises’ best season on record.
The 2022 season saw the records for most points in a season, most wins in a season and most goals scored, as well as the first postseason win for the club.
Players signed autographs, gifted shin guards and cleats to young supporters and got more than a few consoling hugs from fans. Bluff City Mafia members waited for every one of them to go to the dressing room to give each an individual standing ovation.
“That’s what football is about. … Football is built on community,” Pirmann said. “Incredible crowd, incredible atmosphere. … Major, major thank you to them.”
Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, healthcare and, sometimes, soccer for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis 901 FC eliminated from USL Championship playoffs
