Indy Eleven Defeat Nashville SC 2-1, End Nashville’s Shutout Streak

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Nashville SC had kept opposing teams off the score sheet for more than 300 consecutive minutes, but Soony Saad slotted a goal past Matt Pickens in the 15th minute. Indy’s Ayoze Garcia played a long ball over the top catching Nashville’s back line out of position leading to a one-on-one opportunity between Saad and Pickens.

Nashville’s back line looked slow and out of position in the first half dealing with Indy’s attack on a fast field. Liam Doyle made a costly foul against Indy’s Jack McInerney in the 33rd minute to prevent a potential scoring opportunity.

Unfortunately for Nashville, Doyle’s foul allowed Saad to blast a scorching free kick from outside of Nashville’s box for Indy’s second goal.  Saad’s right footed strike crossed up Pickens finishing in the bottom right corner of the net.

Nashville’s head coach Gary Smith used his first substitution to replace Doyle with David Edgar to start the second half and help his team fend off Indy’s counter attack.

Heading into today’s game, Nashville was holding opposing team’s to less than four shots on goal per game. Indy was able to create multiple chances and put six shots on target.

Boys in Gold Fight Back, But Slow Start Too Much to Overcome

After not taking a shot in the first 25 minutes, Nashville finished the first half with an attacking flurry. Ropapa Mensah scored a momentum changing goal in the 45th minute from the right side of the six yard box from a Lebo Moloto assist.

Moloto found a dangerous area inside Indy’s penalty box making a cut back pass leading to Mensah’s one time finish for the goal.

Smith made two attacking changes in the 78th minutes replacing Winn and Moloto with Robin Shroot and Tucker Hume. Despite Nashville being on the front foot in the second half, the Boys in Gold were unable to convert an equalizer.

Nashville’s slow start can be blamed for a tough loss on the road. The Boys in Gold drop to a 2-2-1 record through five games. Nashville’s next game will be April 24th on the road against Penn FC.

Nashville’s Man of the Match

Mensah was named Nashville’s Man of the Match. The 20-year-old scored the Boys in Gold’s lone goal and finished with three shots. Mensah now leads Nashville with two goals this season.

Game Stats

Nashville:

  • Possession: 51.8%
  • Shots: 13
  • Shots on target: 4

Indy:

  • Possession: 48.2%
  • Shots: 11
  • Shots on target: 6

Nashville Lineup Changes

Smith went with speed for his starting lineup inserting Mensah as a starting forward for the first time this season. Mensah has been used off the bench in the previous four games and scored a late goal against Charlotte Independence last Saturday.

Taylor Washington is back in the starting lineup after coming off against Charlotte with a knock. Ryan James starts at right wingback after being replaced by Kosuke Kimura last week.

Nashville’s Starting XI

  • Goalkeeper: Pickens
  • Defense: Washington-Davis-Doyle-Bourgeouis-James
  • Midfield: Reed-Moloto-Akinyode
  • Forwards: Winn-Mensah

Nashville’s Reserves

  • Cox
  • Cochran
  • Hume
  • Shroot
  • LaGrassa
  • Edgar
  • Kimura

Indy Eleven’s Starting XI

  • Goalkeeper: Fon Williams
  • Defense: Ayoze-Rusin-Mitchell-Ring
  • Midfield: Pasher-Matern-Steinberger-Lewis
  • Forwards: Saad-McInerney

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