Randall Leal’s name will go down in history as the first goal-scorer in Nashville SC’s Major League Soccer history. Sure, it happened in a loss. Sure, it was merely a preseason friendly with no official impact on the record books. But a player wearing the, uh, Acoustic Blue and Electric Gold (a combination here meaning “a black training top”) saw the ball hit the back of the net.
The Fire started early with a rebound banged home by winger CJ Sapong and a long shot from the foot of newly-signed striker Elliot Collier – which may go down as an own-goal after Nashville centerback Dave Romney’s knee deflected it past keeper Joe Willis.
NSC responded with Leal’s goal shortly before the halftime whistle blew.
After Nashville made a full-XI substitution coming out of the break, Ken Tribbett conceded a penalty to the Fire early in the second half. Chicago’s Designated Player, striker Robert Berić, slotted into the bottom-right corner to give the Fire a 3-1 lead.
The Fire made its wholesale changes minutes later, and while the teams went back-and-forth, the contest ended 3-1 in favor of the boys with the embarrassing Be Chicago. Be Football. Be a Club. tagline.
The friendly did see striker Daniel Rios and winger David Accam make their first appearances for the MLS side after missing last week’s friendly with IF Elfsborg to injury. Centerback Miguel Nazarit, whose arrival to the club came just this week after visa delays, also made his debut as a substitute during the second half.
Starting lineups
Nashville second-half lineup
Substitutions:
- ON Miguel Nazarit, OFF Jack Maher
- ON David Accam, OFF Luke Haakenson
Randall Leal and Hany Mulkhtar celebrate Leal’s goal. Photo courtesy Nashville SC.
