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Memphis’ Kyle Murphy Voted Championship’s Player of the Month

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 11/11/21, 1:00PM EST

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901 FC standout earned second monthly award of season after five goals in final month of campaign

TAMPA, Fla. – Memphis 901 FC forward Kyle Murphy has been voted the USL Championship’s Player of the Month for October presented by Cleer Audio as he led his side to its first postseason berth in its third season as a club with five goals and one assist in seven appearances. Three of Murphy’s goals proved to be game-winners as Memphis ended the season in third place in the Central Division.

Previously named the Championship’s Player of the Month for July, Murphy capped off a career year with 901 FC as he became only the 10th player in the Championship’s history to record 20 goals in a regular season. In October his five goals came at a strike rate of a goal every 94.8 minutes as his contributions proved key to the club’s overall success.

“It feels great,” said Murphy. “Throughout the whole year, we had a goal of making the playoffs, and we had a really strong finish to the season in October. I always try to help the team however I can, and to help us solidify that playoff spot and earn third place was huge for me.”

“This is another tremendous honor for Kyle and our club,” added 901 FC Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “We’re so proud of the work that he and the team have put in, and I’m excited for him to earn yet another accolade.”

The 28-year-old native of New York has now recorded 45 regular season goals in the Championship for his career, and the pursuit of the 20-goal mark in a single season provided a focus point for the final stretch of the campaign. With Murphy’s play leading the way – and that of other notables Mark Segbers, Laurent Kissiedou and Kadeem Dacres – Memphis put together a strong third campaign in Pirmann’s first full season at the helm.

“It was a target that I had ever since I hit 15 [goals]. I told myself I needed to get to 20,” said Murphy. “I had that target and to be able to achieve it was huge for me. I’m proud of the work that I put in, and I’m proud of my teammates for helping and giving me great services and opportunities to score and achieve my own personal goal.”

Murphy received 36 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com. Orange County SC’s Patrick Rakovsky finished second on 19 percent after recording four shutouts and only conceding twice in six appearances, while the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Sebastian Guenzatti finished in third place as he closed the regular season with five goals and two assists in seven appearances.

USL Championship Player of the Month – October 2021

Nominee Fan Vote Weight Media Vote Weight USL Vote Weight Total Vote
Kyle Murphy (MEM) 59% 30% 25% 6% 0% 0% 36%
Patrick Rakovsky (OC) 9% 5% 33% 8% 25% 6% 19%
Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR) 16% 8% 17% 4% 25% 6% 18%
Josue Aaron Gomez (ELP) 2% 1% 8% 2% 50% 13% 16%
Samuel Adeniran (TAC) 13% 7% 17% 4% 0% 0% 11%

 

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