MLS Playoffs: Nashville SC returns to Eastern Conference semifinals
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Nov 24, 2021
Nashville SC made it 2-for-2, returning to the Eastern Conference semifinals after reaching the same stage of the playoffs in 2020, its first season in MLS.
Nashville SC came back from a goal down after 14 minutes to beat Orlando City, 3-1. It got a pair of goals from leading scorer Hany Mukhtar, and sub Jhonder Cadiz added the third goal late in stoppage time.
The game drew 26,043 fans in what might be the last game at Nissan Stadium before moving into its new 30,000-seat soccer stadium in 2022. With the win, Nashville’s home unbeaten streak was extended to 19 consecutive matches, dating back to the 2020 MLS playoffs.
It finished in a tie with Philadelphia for second place in the Eastern Conference but lost MLS's first tiebreaker, total wins.
Nov. 23 in Nashville, Tenn.
Nashville SC 3 Orlando City 1. Goals: Mukhtar (Godoy) 21, Mukhtar (Sapong) 74, Cadiz (Lovitz) 90+4; Dike (Pereyra) 14.
Nashville SC -- Willis; Lovitz, Maher, Johnston, Miller (Anibaba 83), Zimmerman; McCarty (Muyl 90+1), Mukhtar, Godoy; Leal (Anunga 90+1), CJ Sapong (Cadiz 82).
Orlando City -- Gallese; Ruan, Mas (van der Water 90+2), Jansson, Antonio Carlos; Mendez (Alexandre Pato 65), Mueller (Akindele 81), Pereyra, Urso; Dike, Michel (Nani 75).
Att.: 26,043.
Was a really fun game to see in person last night. Mukhtar, Sapong, and Zimmerman were all excellent. And Dike looks soooooo big and strong compared to other players. Nashville will be much better off next year in the new house though. Glad it was the last one in that brutalist building.
If I were G3, I would start Sargent, Then have Pepi or Dike, come IN off the Bench... Depending on what you need... vs Ghana or Nigeria - Dike... versus Spain or Austria Pepi