Like It, Lovitz, Get Some More Of Itz!

Nashville, TN – The boys in gold returned to Geodis Park this evening to give the hometown crowd something to cheer about, as an exciting game resulted in a spectacular finish. With back-and-forth action throughout the game, Nashville SC was able to walk away victorious with a 2–1 win over visiting Real Salt Lake. This did not come easy.

Even Nashville SC head coach BJ Callaghan acknowledged the team did not come out of the gate on their best foot. “Bit of a slow start,” he stated afterward. He also recognized the challenges facing his defense in the match, admitting Real Salt Lake has “a dynamic attacking team that they [NSC defense] were up against.” This was evident early when two shots by RSL in the first five minutes just barely skimmed past the net.

The consistent peppering of the goal by the Real Salt Lake offense wouldn’t go unrewarded. Just past the 11-minute mark, RSL was driving directly to the NSC goal again. While NSC keeper Joe Willis was able to get a hand on a shot placed on net, he wasn’t able to corral the ball. The rebound went to the feet of RSL midfielder Dominik Marczuk, who was able to tap the rock in to put his team up 1–0 early.

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Not a team to be deterred by the setback, and leaning on the “message” from the coaching staff to “have a 90-minute mentality,” Nashville SC continued pressing. The team would create opportunities, especially with center forward Sam Surridge, but the shots were not hitting their target. Passing was often an issue as well, with a couple of crosses to the center with no teammates in sight, or one pass too many, which gave RSL goalie Rafael Cabral time to get himself in position for an easy block.

As the first half neared its conclusion, it looked like the uphill battle would continue for NSC—until a fortunate corner kick came at the 30-minute mark. NSC left back Daniel Lovitz had just received a yellow card for an elbow on the opposing team. Though it didn’t seem intentionally malicious, it did warrant the call. Dusting this off, Lovitz positioned himself in the box by the RSL goal, waiting for the kick from central midfielder Edvard Tagseth. As the ball sailed perfectly across the field, Lovitz was able to make a mighty leap and head the ball past the opposing keeper into the net.

With the score tied going into the second half, it was essentially a chance to regroup and start over for both teams. The crowd of 25,625 stayed rowdy throughout. While possession was almost equal on both sides, NSC seemed hungrier, with every player wanting in on the action to gain the edge with another goal. Midfielder Jonathan Perez was subbed in for Gaston Brugman and made a play for the net within seconds. That shot barely cleared the top of the net, but it was indicative of the fervor that NSC was playing with throughout the match.

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However, Real Salt Lake has been a force offensively so far this season. Their press for points was not to be taken lightly. Near the halfway point of the second half, it seemed like this reputation would be backed up as a cross pass from Marczuk—riding high off a previous goal—was tapped past Willis into the net. Upon further review from the officials, it was clear that Marczuk was offside prior to the pass. The goal was called back, with a collective “phew!” from those in the stands.

The clock was ticking, with less than two minutes left in regulation, when RSL midfielder Nelson Palacio plowed over NSC right winger Hany Mukhtar, drawing the infraction that would lead to a penalty kick. Mukhtar opted to let Surridge take the shot in his stead. Not getting too flashy with the opportunity, the kicker went straight down the center of the net, easily clearing a diving Cabral to put the home team officially in the lead.

Even with six minutes of bonus time, Real Salt Lake was not able to match the score and would travel home with the L.