NASHVILLE – We won’t have the same result – from the same gameflow – that we saw last time Nashville SC took on Penn FC. While it did look early like the Boys in Gold were once again doomed to create plenty of chances, but fail to finish them, Brandon Allen changed that in the 36th minute.
Fellow new signing Ismaila Jome served in a cross from the left touchline (on the dead run, and closely marked), and found Allen waiting at the top of the six-yard box. The man who just gets goals, well, got one. Allen’s left-footed half-volley went between the legs of Penn keeper Romu Peiser, and NSC had its opening statement.
It’s worth noting that, like they did in Harrisburg, Nashville’s players dominated the run of play. They had nearly 60% of possession, and while they were outshot 6-4, it certainly felt like a reluctance to pull the trigger on shots (like we saw in the previous game) played a bigger role in that disparity than Penn FC’s play.
Despite that, the City Islanders had a couple golden opportunities – a free kick served into the box saw Nashville fail to clear on multiple occasions, and a twisting side-volley from Richard Menjivar necessitated a diving – but comfortable – save from keeper Matt Pickens in the 26th. Tommy Heinemann’s sliding attempt minutes later couldn’t find the low cross before Pickens got to it, and the veteran Nashville SC keeper maintained his clean sheet.
If Nashville can turn possession – and possession in the box – into shots on goal in the second frame, it could be a happy evening in Music City.
Club and Country 