NASHVILLE – Things got off to a raucous start in First Tennessee Park this evening. Nashville SC striker Tucker Hume made the most of a poor header from Liam Doyle in a set piece situation, and turned it into an overhead kick for the opening tally of the night.
The lead didn’t last long, though, with a Charleston free kick punched off the line by Nashville keeper Matt Pickens… directly onto the head of Battery midfielder Tah Anunga.
Despite Nashville playing against 10 men after Charleston’s Patrick Okonkwo was shown a violent-conduct red card in the 61st minute, the Boys in Gold could find plenty of chances at the net, but never the back of it. Ultimately, the game will go into the record books as a 1-1 draw.
A second half that saw Nashville fire cross after cross into the box couldn’t get the 6-5 Hume a headed chance on the frame, and replacing midfielder Ish Jome with striker Ropapa Mensah – a rare offense-first formation from Nashville, facilitated by the man advantage – couldn’t help. Advantages in possession (56.6%-43.4%) and shots (12-10) couldn’t help NSC find a winner.
With the draw, Nashville sits on 40 points through 29 games, just outside the playoff positions. Fortunately, they should have a chance to make up ground in the coming days, with upcoming contests against Atlanta United 2, Richmond Kickers, and Toronto FC II, the worst three teams in the Eastern Conference. If they can take full points from that trio – no guarantee, with a loss to Toronto already on the books this year – home contests against New York Red Bulls II and FC Cincinnati may be more for jockeying within playoff position, rather than trying to simply make the postseason. If not, things should be very interesting down the stretch.
Starting lineups
Match events
- 9′ NSH GOAL – 12 Tucker Hume (right foot overhead), assisted by 5 Liam Doyle
- 24′ CHS GOAL – 24 Tah Anunga (headed)
- 31′ NSH Substitution – On 32 Brandon Allen, off 10 Lebo Moloto (injury)
- 45’+2 NSH Yellow card – 17 Michael Reed (foul)
- 45’+4 – Half time
- 60′ CHS RED CARD – 17 Patrick Okonkwo (violent conduct)
- 63′ CHS Yellow card – 20 Victor Mansaray
- 68′ CHS Substitution – On 21 Angelo Kelly-Rosales, off 20 Victor Mansaray
- 69′ NSH Substitution – On 3 Ropapa Mensah, off 11 Ish Jome
- 76′ CHS Substitution – On 9 Ian Svantesson, off 15 Gordon Wild
- 84′ NSH Substitution – On 8 Robin Shroot, off 19 Alan Winn
- 90’+4 Full time
Club and Country 