Late Washington goal breaks Nashville SC’s winless streak

NASHVILLE — After losing two straight matches on the road to lower table sides, Nashville SC returned to the friendly of confines of First Tennessee Park on Wednesday night to play a team it drubbed 3–0 last month.

Except this particular team is Atlanta United 2 and, unlike last time, leaned heavily on its senior club depth — 48 combined MLS appearances in the starting lineup — to fill out its roster.

Yikes.

But instead of crumbling under the strain of a losing streak and a well-financed foe, Nashville’s young squad answered the bell.

The attacking band of Alan Winn, Lebo Moloto, Ish Jome, and Ropapa Mensah had the Boys In Gold looking more fluid and threatening in possession than they have since the July 7 draw against FC Cincinnati.

It was Jome’s tireless work on the wings that finally gave Nashville its first goal of July. The 23-year-old Gambian started out on the left wing but occasionally switched to the right, staying there for good when Taylor Washington came on for Alan Winn in the 74th minute. Six minutes later, yet another cross from Jome found Taylor Washington at the back post, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

And the drought was over.

It wasn’t all positive for Nashville, though. Until the 80th minute breakthrough, NSC’s attack looked just as toothless in the second half as it had in disappointing losses to Charlotte Independence and Ottawa Fury.

But under the circumstances — with so many of Nashville’s stars out injured and Atlanta’s squad so strong — the three points will come as a welcome relief to Gary Smith, however his club managed to arrive by them.

The 1–0 win lifts Nashville from eighth to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, going two points clear of Indy Eleven. Next up for Nashville is another road trip to Canada — their second in as many weeks — to play Toronto FC II.

Head to our Periscope page for coverage of the post-match press conference.