April 20, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Monterey Bay FC News Release
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Monterey Bay F.C. (4-1-2, 14 points) earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Memphis 901 FC (1-5-0, 3 points) at AutoZone Park in Memphis. Tristan Trager scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the second half, and Alex Lara headed in the game-winner less than two minutes later to move the Crisp-and-Kelp up into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference through seven weeks. The result marks a third consecutive win in league play for Monterey Bay and extends its streak in all competitions to four.
The hosts got onto the board less than a minute into the match when a clearance off the line by Mobi Fehr smacked right off of the elbow of Alex Lara and this time over the line to give Memphis an immediate 1-0 lead – the fastest goal allowed in Monterey Bay’s early history. Carlos Guzmán came close to grabbing a quick equalizer for the Crisp-and-Kelp, but his header on the end of a corner just missed over the top left corner of the framework. In the 17th minute of the match, Memphis’ Marlon drove down the left side towards the box before cutting back to his right and firing on frame, but quick reflexes from Antony Siaha at the near post denied the hosts a second goal. Memphis looked to have that second goal just before the end of the first half with a volley shot by Bruno Lapa from the center of the box, but it was hit right at Siaha and caught to send the sides into the halftime break.
Still in search of the equalizer, Monterey Bay looked likely to get it just seven minutes into the second half when Morey Doner crossed a ball into a dangerous area inside the box that landed at the feet of Guzmàn, but the ensuing shot was saved by the Memphis goalkeeper. Then, Chase Boone made a move down the left sideline and crossed a ball into the box in the 56th minute of the match, but it was plucked out of the air by the keeper. Five minutes later, Doner whipped another ball into Boone inside the box, but his strong header was caught by the goalkeeper once again. The visitors earned a free kick from 35 yards out in the 67th minute of the match, and with the ball in the air, Fehr was knocked down inside the box and awarded a penalty. Finally finding the equalizer, Trager stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty to the center of the goal. Less than 90 seconds later, Monterey Bay pushed forward again to earn a corner kick….