In Louisville Slugger Stadium this afternoon, Nashville SC was second-best. Their host, Louisville City FC, scored in the 56th and 66th minutes while keeping a clean sheet, and there’s nothing an opponent can do to win with that stat line.
However, all was not lost in Derby City. There were moments of brilliance – primarily from goalkeeper Matt Pickens, along with a golden chance for substitute striker Ropapa Mensah in the 84th minute that went just high of the crossbar – and both solid Louisville chances in that frame came from set pieces, including one on which Pickens made an incredible save. It might even be fair to say that NSC was on the front foot for much of the first half.
Being on the front foot, of course, is not the same as winning the game, and Louisville City made the most of its opportunities after the break.
Niall McCabe crossed into the box, finding the head of striker Luke Spencer, and after the ball ricocheted off the post and just past the outstretched fingers of Pickens, Louisville was able to ope the scoring just ten minutes into the second half. In another ten minutes, the Boys in Purple would strike again. McCabe would corral a cross through the six-yard box from winger Oscar Jimenez, and finish on the doorstep.
In 90-plus minutes of regular-season soccer, Nashville SC has yet to find the back of the et, while Louisville’s ability to punch it in twice makes for a rough beginning to the season. It should only be a matter of time, though, before the Boys in Gold are able to get on the right side of the ledger. With a slight advantage in possession and eight shots (though only two on-target) against the USL’s best defense from last season, the stats should increase as the difficulty of opponent has nowhere to go but down.
With a marquee game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds (in their season-opener) at Nissan Stadium next week, NSC will have the chance to score the first official goal in club history in front of a home crowd.
Starting lineups
Match events
- 45’+1: Half time.
- 56′ LCFC GOAL: Luke Spencer (headed). Assist Niall McCabe
- 59′ NSC substitution: Tucker Hume on for Robin Shroot
- 66′ LCFC GOAL: Niall McCabe (right foot). Assist Oscar Jimenez
- 73′ NSC substitution: Ropapa Mensah on for Michael Cox
- 76′ LCFC substitution: Richard Ballard on for George Davis
- 79′ NSC yellow card: Matt LaGrassa
- 81′ LCFC yellow card: Luke Spencer
- 85′ NSC substitution: Taylor Washington on for Ryan James
- 87′ LCFC substitution: Magnus Rasmussen on for Niall McCabe
- 90’+2: Full time.
Club and Country 