MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC rallied from an early deficit to take a 3-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park as Kyle Murphy notched a pair of goals for the hosts. The win moved 901 FC into sole possession of fourth place in the Central Division while still holding two games in hand on fifth-placed OKC Energy FC, and extended the club’s undefeated run to five games.

Sporting had the better of the early going and almost took the lead in the 15th minute as Enoch Mushagalusa created space for a chipped cross from the left byline that was headed back in front of goal by Mataeo Bunbury, but before Wilson Harris could finish the ball was cleared by Memphis defender Skylar Thomas from inside the side yard area. Two minutes later, however, Mushagalusa notched his eighth goal of the season as he broke out on a counterattack and controlled a ball over the top by Jake Davis before finishing into the left corner of the net.

Memphis didn’t take long to respond as in the 20th minute Kadeem Dacres turned his defender well on the right and delivered a beautiful back-post cross that was met by Murphy for a close-range header and the forward’s 16th goal of the season.

Both teams had chances to grab the lead inside the final 10 minutes before the break as Mushagalusa shot over for SKC II from the top-left edge of the penalty area before Murphy got in behind the defense for a potential breakaway for the hosts, only for his first touch to carry the ball too far and allow Sporting’s Kendall McIntosh to come off his line and gather. Murphy had another chance just before the hour-mark as well, but after he was able to squeeze a shot past McIntosh, SKC II defender Isaiah LeFlore made an excellent clearance inside the six-yard area to clear.

SKC II found the net again in the 62nd minute as Mushagalusa tucked home a close-range finish off a low cross by Harris but was ruled offside to keep the game level. With 16 minutes to go, though, Memphis took the lead as Roland Lamah intercepted a pass in the final third and was brought down in the box by McIntosh for a penalty kick. Murphy stepped up and fired low to the left corner beyond the goalkeeper’s attempt to save for his second goal of the night.

The visitors pushed to try and find a late equalizer, but with numbers pushed forward after a late free kick, Memphis took advantage with a final goal deep in stoppage time. Michael Salazar stole possession just inside the SKC II half and quickly sprang Lamah into space where the attacking midfielder rounded McIntosh and finished into the open net, wrapping up the victory and another big step forward for 901 FC’s playoff drive.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Kyle Murphy, Memphis 901 FC – Murphy scored twice for the hosts and had three shots overall while winning 7 of 14 duels to continue his standout season while leading Memphis to victory.

Scoring Summary
SKC – Enoch Mushagalusa (Jake Davis) 17’
MEM – Kyle Murphy (Kadeem Dacres) 20’
MEM – Kyle Murphy (Penalty Kick) 74’
MEM – Roland Lamah (Michael Salazar) 90+5’

Full Box Score