Late Drama Sees Rhode Island FC Draw 2-2 at Memphis 901 FC

June 12, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release

Rhode Island FC battles Memphis 901 FC
(Rhode Island FC)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A late lead wasn’t enough for Rhode Island FC to earn its second win of the season on Wednesday night as it drew Memphis 901 FC 2-2 at AutoZone Park. After a pair of first RIFC goals from Conor McGlynn and Joe Brito gave the Ocean State club a 2-0 lead heading into the final minutes, a late red card and stoppage-time penalty saw the hosts steal a point in improbable fashion.

Rhode Island FC (1W-4L-9D) was the first to strike in the 17th minute, when JJ Williams chipped a bouncing pass into the box towards the feet of McGlynn. Plucking the ball out of the air with a powerful first-time volley, McGlynn buried a right-footed effort past a diving Tyler Deric to give RIFC the early 1-0 lead. The goal was McGlynn’s first in USL Championship play this season, and second overall for RIFC.

Less than ten minutes later, McGlynn came within inches of a second goal. After Deric saved a close-range effort from Mark Doyle that came from a JJ Williams throw-in, McGlynn made contact with the rebound from inside the six-yard box. The Queens, New York native could not keep the ball on target, however, as the strike fell just wide of the near post.

Memphis 901 FC (5W-6L-4D) eventually found the back of the net in the 34th minute when Marlon executed a well-weighted chip over Koke Vegas, but the host’s leading scorer was flagged offside. Eight minutes later, an outstretched Vegas was called into action again, this time making a brilliant fingertip save to deny Emerson Hyndman’s curling effort as RIFC went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead.

Despite the hosts applying increased pressure out of the half, RIFC doubled its lead in the 66th minute when Noah Fuson cut his way into the box, sending a low shot across the face of goal. After Deric initially got his outstretched hands in front of the effort, second-half substitute Brito came sliding in to nudge the ball just past the goal line and into the back of the net just three minutes after entering the field to give the Ocean State club an insurance goal. The goal was the first of Brito’s USL Championship career.

With less than three minutes left in regulation, the match took a major turn when Vegas was shown a red card for a foul just outside of his 18-yard box. Capitalizing on the resulting free kick from Vegas’ foul, Memphis’ Samuel Careaga sent a curling…