Nashville SC’s net was under fire more last night than any other game this season. The Tampa Bay Rowdies took 25 shots – six of them on goal – but could only beat Matt Pickens once. The disappointment for Nashville comes in the timing of that goal: in the 84th minute, after the Boys in Gold had been holding on for dear life since Lebo Moloto put them up in the 22nd.
Still, there’s no shame in leaving St. Petersburg with a draw: Tampa is unbeaten at Al Lang Stadium, and Nashville is one of just three teams to emerge with a point at the Rowdies’ home field.
“That’s the biggest point that we have earned all season,” said Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith. “They put us under a ton of pressure. There was a lot of character shown by the lads considering how many games we have had recently, and I think that showed a bit in their legs.”
It was the end of a whirlwind few weeks for Nashville, the sixth game in 16 days including two wins in the US Open Cup (most recently against MLS side Colorado Rapids Wednesday evening). The fatigue showed a bit defensively in the number of opportunities allowed to a Tampa Bay team that is formidable at home, but still languishing out of the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference table.
Fortunately, Matt Pickens was up to the task with five saves.
“I thought he was phenomenal; at one point I didn’t think they were going to score with how he was playing,” Smith opined of his keeper. “Credit to them, as they were able to tie it up. I genuinely think that my guys showed tremendous spirit. We have showed a great attitude away from home.”
“Obviously, we only gave up one goal and came away with a point,” added defender London Woodberry. “Defense has been our identity all season. We have worked hard on maintaining our shape and communicating. It helped us tonight.”
It was Moloto’s goal that provided the major highlight for Nashville SC. After his pressure from the top led to a poor Tampa Bay pass, midfielder Bolu Akinyode collected the ball and quickly moved it forward to striker Ropapa Mensah. Mensah drew in the defense, then distributed wide to his striker partner, whose composure allowed him to slot it past the keeper with his left foot.
It was his fourth regular-season goal of the year, with all of them coming in the past five games.
“Personally, I think I was just a bit unlucky in the beginning of the season,” Moloto said. “I was doing everything right except put the ball in the back of the net. I am happy that I’ve at least being able to find the back of net and help the team with a point. Would have been happy with three, but we will take a point.”
At the end of a long, busy stretch, Nashville should be able to settle in just a bit going forward. They have a full six days off, then host a struggling North Carolina FC team at home next Saturday. While another midweek game beckons – in the Open Cup against Louisville City FC, with a short road trip up I-65 – the first long homestand of the year in league play should be a welcome change for a team that has played eight of its 12 contests on the road.
Despite the tough slate, Nashville has managed to build a seven-game unbeaten streak in league play, ten games overall including a trio of home Cup victories.
“It’s been awesome,” Moloto said. “We try not to focus on the streak though, but just take every game as it comes and obviously do our utmost to win every game. We have a great group of guys, and everyone ones to win. I think that’s what drives us.”
With three games coming up in First Tennessee Park (where Nashville is 3-0 on the year) before a blockbuster showdown with FC Cincinnati in Nissan Stadium, there’s a good chance to continue that winning form.
Lineups
Match events
- 22′ NSH GOAL – 10 Lebo Moloto (left foot), assisted by 3 Ropapa Mensah
- 26′ NSH Yellow card – 20 Matt LaGrassa (foul)
- 45’+3 – Half-time
- 46′ NSH Substitution – On 11 Ismaila Jome, off 19 Alan Winn
- 46′ TBR Substitution – On 11 Leo Fernandes, off 9 Alex Morell
- 64′ TBR Substitution – On 14 Leon Taylor, off 13 Sebastian Guenzatti
- 68′ TBR Yellow card – 17 Tamika Mkandawaire (foul)
- 70′ NSH Substitution – On 22 Bradley Bourgeois, off 23 Taylor Washington
- 81′ NSH Substitution – On 32 Brandon Allen, off 3 Ropapa Mensah
- 83′ TBR Substitution – On 8 Jochen Graf, off 16 Max Lachowecki
- 84′ TBR GOAL – 14 Leon Taylor (right foot)
- 90’+3 TBR Yellow card – 10 Georgi Hristov (dissent)
- 90’+4 TBR Yellow card – 23 Michael Nanchoff (dissent)
- 90’+6 – Full-time
Club and Country 