Memphis 901 FC looking to bounce back against Charlotte
Coming off a disappointing home loss to North Carolina FC, Memphis 901 FC is headed to Charlotte to play the Independence on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the second time since the season restart.
The Independence got a 2-2 draw in what, for most of the match, looked like a likely 901 FC win. Charlotte secured the point at Autozone Park last month with an 83rd-minute goal from Valentin Sabella.
Memphis coach Tim Mulqueen said after Saturday's loss to North Carolina that he was not happy with his squad securing only four points out of the last three matches.
“It's been a hard week," Mulqueen said. "It's been a no-nonsense approach. We have to play with urgency. We have to prepare with urgency. There (are) only 10 games left, and we're not in a good position right now in the standings."
After a match that saw 901 FC create multiple good chances but not be able to put any of them away, training was heavy on finishing drills. Mulqueen said finishing exercises were usually done twice a week because it can be taxing on hamstrings and hip flexors. In the past week, the team worked on finishing daily.
“We've put them in situations we've felt would replicate more of the game,”
Mulqueen said Thursday. “Today, in particular, we did it from angles we did not finish from on Saturday and we did it with players advancing into the box after the shot so we'd have a little bit more positive reactions when we get into those spots.”
Previous meeting
Memphis dominated the bulk of the possession and took twice as many shots as Charlotte. But Saturday's game will likely look different, regardless of the result.
“They've changed since we've played them," Mulqueen said. "They're defending in a much lower block. They've taken their number 10, Enzo Martinez, and dropped him deeper now to the back line. It's a different team than the one we played."
Despite the tactical changes, having played Charlotte recently can give 901 FC some advantages, defender Rece Buckmaster said.
“We know they have the key players that we need to focus on and if we shut those key players down, then we should be able to take care of the game,” he said.
Buckmaster, who scored Memphis' second goal last time 901 FC met the Independence, said the regionallygrouped schedule sets up a somewhat unprecedented series of games with a small group of teams.
“It's interesting because it's never been done," Buckmaster said. "You see these guys one week and then you can be playing them two weeks later. It's good for us because you can learn them quickly, you can know ... what they're going to do the rest of the times you play them."
How to watch
The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ and CW 30.
Memphis is 1-2-3 and sits in fourth place in Group G. The club has to finish in the top two of the group to advance to the postseason.
Let me know where and how you're watching the match — pictures encouraged — and what you think of 901 FC'S performance in Charlotte Saturday. I always want to hear from you. You can reach me via email at Corinne.kennedy@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Corinneskennedy