Welcome to The Wrap, wherein I recap the content from last week’s Nashville SC game.
Local content
Ríos opened the scoring by chipping Ottawa keeper David Monsalve in the 33rd minute. Hume would double it in the 67th, cutting onto his left foot inside the box and banging it home top-corner. Ríos added the finishing touch in the 80th, coolly slotting home a rebound from a Kharlton Belmar shot.
“He’s certainly filled that void of a marksman,” Smith said of Ríos.
The voting post for your community ratings, and here are the results:
- Man of the match: F Daniel Ríos: 8.33 Community comments:
- “So this is what is like having a goal scorer.”
- GK Connor Sparrow: 8.00 Community comments:
- “Has he taken over the starting spot?”
- D Liam Doyle: 8.17
- D Ken Tribbett: 8.17
- D Justin Davis: 6.50 Community comments:
- “Can someone explain why he’s still taking set pieces???”
- “Why is he still taking free kicks?”
- D Kosuke Kimura: 7.33
- M Michael Reed: 7.00
- M Matt LaGrassa: 7.33
- M Lebo Moloto: 7.33
- M Kharlton Belmar: 7.83
- F Tucker Hume: 7.67
- M/F Ropapa Mensah: 7.50
- D/M Taylor Washington: 7.00
- M/F Alan Winn: 6.50
- Head coach Gary Smith: 8.00
- Overall team rating: 8.00
Overall, fair. Maybe a little harsh on Davis.
The Graphical: Ottawa Fury 0-3 Nashville SC:
Michael Reed and Matt LaGrassa were able to (easily) control the center of the pitch against Ward as Wall and Mannella pushed higher and wider to try to create spacing. The fullbacks pushed up to try to fill some of that space.
Meanwhile, Nashville had the opportunity to send offensive-minded wingers in behind, and given that the fullbacks were often nowhere to be found, there were crosses or passes available.

From the film room took a deeper look at how NSC dominated by owning the high and wide areas.
Elsewhere
Speedway game story, chalkboard, and player ratings. USA Today Network – Tennessee gamer. Game story from the Montreal Gazette. USL gameday report. Official NSC site story. Ríos made team of the week.