Memphis 901 FC clinches home playoff game in regular season finale

Memphis 901 FC can finally check off their season-long goal as they will host a first round playoff game.

The Beale Street Boys beat New Mexico United 3-2 to earn their third straight top-four placement. Memphis finished in third place after Colorado Springs scored a late winner against Sacramento Republic.

New Mexico had secured the top spot in the Western conference for weeks but were winless in their last four matches. They were looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs in front of their home crowd. Instead, it was Memphis immediately firing one into the back of the net in the second minute.

Bruno Lapa settled down the right wing and delivered a pinpoint pass to Jon Bakero at the near post. The mid-season addition picked a perfect time to score his first goal for the club but the first half was full of back-and-forth play.

The equalizer from New Mexico came in the 22nd minute, a goal that was also created from the right wing. Will Seymour received a long ball over the top, dribbled past Akeem Ward and assisted Greg Hurst inside the six-yard box.

Samuel Careaga did not let the deadlock last for long. He responded two minutes later with a determined charge down the field. His left-footed, low-driven shot was too much for the goalkeeper to handle.

New Mexico had the advantage in the possession battle for the rest of the half but were unable to create much out of it. There were only five shots total between the two teams but every shot on target resulted in a goal.

The second half followed a similar tune to start until Memphis found a breakthrough. A rocket from Lucas Turci gave Memphis a much needed insurance goal.

Memphis was sailing smoothly afterwards with full control. Then, New Mexico hit the crossbar in the 87th minute and the match unraveled into chaos.

The switch was flipped. New Mexico had all the momentum and unleashed several threatening attacks. United’s Marlon Vargas scored with a run towards the back post in extra time, leaving Memphis with a few tense minutes to survive.

New Mexico hit the left post and had a header soar just a bit too high. The final three whistles blew and Memphis avoided the late comeback.