Jennings’ stoppage-time goal helps 901 FC pick up first point of the year
At times during its short history, Memphis 901 FC has fallen victim to the unfortunate habit of conceding goals late in the first half, late in the game or even both.
Saturday in Atlanta however, they were able to do the scoring instead of the conceding and in doing so picked up their first point of the year. Second-half substitute Cal Jennings, newly-signed this week, scored in stoppage time to lift Memphis into a 2-2 draw against the United reserves.
Memphis now stands at 0-1-2 heading into its first home match since the league re-start, July 25 against fellow Group G member Charlotte Independence.
Jennings slotted home a right-footed shot off a pass from Raul Gonzalez. His first goal for the club canceled out at 57th-minute strike by Coleman Gannon that had put the home team ahead 2-1.
Atlanta, which also picked up its first point in three games this season, went ahead in the 21st minute thanks to a Jackson Conway goal. Memphis responded just before halftime as Brandon Allen got his second of the season. That goal also ended the club’s 207-minute scoreless streak, dating back to the 16th minute of the season-opening loss to Indy on March 7.
Playing its second game of the week, coach Tim Mulqueen opted for some changes to the starting eleven, most notably in goal where Jimmy Hague made his first start for the club in place of Tim Howard. Triston Hodge made his first start since May of last year when his season was cut short due to a torn ACL while Keanu Marsh-Brown was extremely effective in his first start, winning man of the match honors for his consistent attacking surges.
Gonzalez, who played at the University of Memphis, made his first appearance for the team; he missed the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL suffered during the preseason.
Defender Zach Carroll missed the game after picking up a red card in the 3-0 loss to Birmingham on Wednesday.
Memphis 901 FC 2, Atlanta United 2
Memphis (4-3-3): Jimmy Hague; Mark Segbers; Triston Hodge (Raul Gonzalez, 84th); Liam Doyle; Rece Buckmaster; Duane Muckette; Jean-Chrisophe Koffi (Leston Paul, 81st); Michael Reed; Keanu Marsh-Brown (Rafael Mentzingen, 61st); Brandon Allen (Cal Jennings, 61st); Pierre Da Silva
Atlanta (5-4-1): Ben Lundgaard; Caleb Wiley (Amadou Diop, 58th); Garrison Tubbs; Modou Jadama; Kendall Edwards (David Mejia, 80th); Jack Gurr; Coleman Gannon; William Reilly; Ajani Fortune (Abdoulaye Diop, 58th); Phillip Goodrum (Daniel Steedman, 67th); Jackson Conway (Lamin Jawneh, 80th)
Goals: Memphis, Brandon Allen (44th); Cal Jennings (90 + 2); Atlanta, Jackson Conway (21st); Coleman Gannon (57th)
Cautions: Memphis, Liam Doyle (16th); Triston Hodge (74th); Mark Segbers (90th); Atlanta, Amadou Diop (67th); Jack Durr (78th); Lamin Jawneh (90 + 7)
Topics
United Soccer League Memphis 901 FC Atlanta UnitedJohn Varlas
John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.
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