Memphis 901 FC concede twice in two minutes, fall to Orange County

After a road trip to California last week, Memphis 901 FC (1-3-0) traveled back home to host another club from the Golden State in Orange County SC (3-2-0).

The visitors came into AutoZone Park with the most goals scored on the road (4) this season. They would add two more in the match, winning 2-0. Memphis had more chances and control throughout the game, until the game flipped in the blink of an eye — Orange County scoring in the 61st and 63rd minute.

“A brief switch off, couple of individual errors and you’re two-nil down,” head coach Stephen Glass said. “A lack of focus at the wrong time of the game, and we got punished for that against a team that can keep the ball.”

The defeat makes it three straight for Memphis, but all were highly contested with a few key moments deciding the result.

“We’re happy where we are going performance-wise, but obviously not happy with the results,” Glass said.

Dylan Borczak wasted no time in his first start of the season, taking a shot 15 seconds in. The left-footed attempt failed to land on target and Borczak picked up a stubborn nosebleed. He was sidelined twice in the first few minutes but remained in the match.

Neither attack found a flow early as touches in the opposing half were rare. The constant battle in the midfield prevented build-up play while alert back lines stopped counters in their tracks. Nico Brett was a bright spot for Memphis — winning a free kick, making dangerous runs and staying involved.

The game opened up at the half-hour mark for Memphis with others joining in to create chances. Luiz Fernando had a cross towards Nighte Pickering deflected at the last second. Borczak was inches away from chasing down a long ball. Zachary Duncan unleashed a few threatening long-range shots, moving up field from his defensive role.

A lengthy six minutes was added on before the break but no goals would come from it. Orange County was held to one shot in the first 45 minutes.

The beginning of the second half was much like the first — Memphis going on the attack. Shots tested the goalkeeper one after another but none had the necessary finishing touch to get past the goalkeeper.

Not taking advantage of those opportunities ended up being disastrous as Orange County scored twice in transition. In the 61st minute, goalkeeper Tyler Deric was only able to get a hand on a strike from Cameron Dunbar. Brian Iloski scored on the rebound. Two minutes later, Thomas Amang got behind the Memphis defense, leaving Deric on an island with no chance at a save.

Memphis went to their bench in response, bringing on Samuel Carreaga, Emerson Hyndman and Tulu. However, the goals from the visitors deadened all momentum and Memphis was not able to build it up again.