A two goal deficit and a red card going into the second half was too much for Memphis 901 FC (1-1-0) to overcome. Indy Eleven (1-1-0) were able to pick up their first points of the season in their second straight road game.
Memphis fell behind early and were unable to counter the Indy pressure for the entirety of the first half, losing 2-1 in front of an announced attendance of 2,621.
“We can’t start and allow teams to dictate games, the pace of games and not play in the first half,” head coach Stephen Glass said. “I think we got what we deserved based on the performance of the first half.”
There were 30 total fouls called in total with six yellow cards and two red — both given to Memphis 901 FC players: Oscar Jimenez in the 42 minute and Akeem Ward after the final whistle.
The second half proved to be better for 901 FC despite being a man down, including an incredible bicycle kick from Abdoulaye Cissoko in the waning minutes of stoppage time.
“The effort and what they did in the second half was incredible,” Glass said. “I think a lesser team gets beaten probably five or six.”
After a successful home opener, there were few changes to the starting lineup. Carson Vom Steeg, entering his second season with Memphis, and newcomer Oscar Jimenez replaced Lucas Turci and Alvaro Quezada in the back line. The midfield and attack remained unchanged.
Possession favored the home side during the first 15 minutes, but the high press of Indy Eleven caused trouble. A few turnovers in their own own half kept Memphis from trying to dissect through the midfield, opting to going over the top instead.
Goalkeeper Tyler Deric showed his distributing qualities early on with this tactic. Defending against a corner kick, the 35-year-old veteran snagged the ball out of the air and immediately looked downfield. He found Luiz Fernando running down the right wing with a precise pass. Nothing came from the attack as Indy Eleven recovered well.
Memphis would find themselves trailing for the second straight game after Indy’s Jack Blake drew a foul inside the box. Tulu, defending one-on-one, slid in for the tackle but came up empty and received a yellow card. Blake took the penalty and struck the ball well, no chance for the diving Deric.
There was no immediate response this time around for the Beale Street Boys. Memphis remained a step behind Indy, struggling to break through their defense despite a few decent chances.
To add insult to injury, 901 FC conceded another goal and had a player sent off just before halftime. A perfectly placed cross from Aedan Stanley caught Deric in no-man’s land, allowing Douglas Martinez to get a touch and nestle the ball into the back of the net. The debut of Oscar Jimenez was not one for the history books, picking up two yellow cards for poor tackles inside the first half.
Two halftime substitutions were made for Memphis, Lucas Turci and Marlon Santos coming on for Fernando and Emerson Hyndman.
Memphis relied on counter attacks to start the second, the best opportunity coming from an Indy corner kick. After the ball was cleared, Nighte Pickering had tons of open space to run into before crossing it to Samuel Careaga. The two goal scorers from last week unable to connect, Careaga’s header soaring over the bar.
“The second half showed real intent,” Glass said. “Everything that we didn’t do for the fist half, we did in the second half in terms of just pure endeavor and desire to go forward and be dangerous.”
Another shot towards goal came from Santos, forcing a save from the goalkeeper in the 68 minute. Pickering collided with an Indy defender minutes later inside the box, the referee deciding there was no foul.
The substitutions, including Santos, were a big factor in a late charge from Memphis. French defender Abdoulaye Cissoko scored from a corner kick in stoppage time but 901 FC were not able to equalize.
Akeem Ward was shown a red card after the final whistle blew.
Former Beale Street Boys
Elliot Collier, the first goal scorer in Memphis 901 FC history, made his return to AutoZone Park. Collier spent one year with the club in 2019 on loan from MLS side Chicago Fire. Indy Eleven’s Cameron Lindley was also a part of the inaugural season for 901 FC.
Next Game
Memphis 901 FC will have a week off before traveling to the west coast for the first time this season. They will take on Sacramento Republic on Saturday, March 30 at 9pm.