Memphis 901 FC, El Paso Locomotive play to goalless draw

The new River Kit for Memphis 901 FC was not a good luck charm for goals, at least in its debut against El Paso Locomotive. 

The 0-0 deadlock gave El Paso their first points since June 15.

“We just didn’t quite do enough to win,” head coach Stephen Glass said. “Especially with the opportunities we had in the first half.”

Jon Bakero and Triston Henry earned successive starts after their solid opening performance last week. Panagiotis Armenakas, a new signing acquired from Phoenix Rising, made his first appearance for 901 FC.

“I think he fitted in really well. We looked more dangerous when he came on,” Glass said of Armenakas. “We looked like we were willing to gamble a little bit.”

El Paso put together a solid defensive effort for most of the first half, depriving Memphis from space inside the box. Even with their dreadful run of form (losing their last five games), the Locomotive looked fairly confident off the ball.

Touches from Alvaro Quezada allowed Memphis to use the flanks in response. Quezada had a particularly big impact, often joining the attack towards the right corner. In the midfield, Emerson Hyndman and Samuel Careaga made runs of their own and provided passing opportunities around the box.

The chances for Memphis started to pile up as the half went on, totaling nine shots with three on target. An El Paso defender often blocked the try before it made its way to the goalkeeper. The two best opportunities for Memphis — a Nighte Pickering close ranged shot in the 29th minute and Luiz Fernando’s one-on-one strike in extra time — both forced a kick save from Jahmali Waite.

Glass went to his bench early in the second half with quite a bit of depth available. Key goal scorers Marlon Santos and Bruno Lapa replaced Bakero, Hymdman. Armenakas also subbed in with Pickering coming off. 

The possession numbers and attempts mirrored the first half  to start with Memphis on the front foot. El Paso did have a few counter attacks against the Memphis pressure — the shots deflected by a well-positioned AB Cissoko or missing wide of goal.

Stuck at a deadlock, the game tightened further with more whistles. Lucas Turci, Ward and Marlon collected a series of yellow cards due to bad fouls. There were still moments of action amidst the physicality. Henry made his first save of the night in the 72nd minute with a diving save, the ball soaring through a multitude of bodies on the way. Marlon made a run on the counter but his right-footed shot was thwarted as well.

Marlon continued to be troublesome on the left side, playing off a lengthy Armenakas run in the 80th minute but his shot strayed right of goal. A free kick seven minutes later gave Memphis yet another threatening chance but the attempt from Ward landed on top of the net. The stark advantage in shot totals just did not translate to goals.

Next Game

Memphis head back on the road, traveling to South Carolina to battle Charleston Battery who sit in first place in the Eastern conference. The match will be Saturday, August 10 at 6:30pm.