It’s another scoreless draw for Nashville SC at Nissan — this time against FC Cincinnati

NASHVILLE — FC Cincinnati fans will probably never shut up about their attendance records, but on Saturday night their attendance was zero in the only place it counts: the scoreline.

Nashville SC held a clean sheet against the Eastern Conference leaders (and most potent attack in all of USL) and have to count themselves unlucky to not be walking away with all three points. Nashville had 60 percent of the possession and nearly all of the dangerous chances, many of which came in the frenetic final stages of the first half, during which a Nashville SC goal felt inevitable. Matt Pickens bailed out some sloppy play from his teammates in the final stages with a couple of great saves, but it was a pretty comfortable night for the NSC goalkeeper.

The Nashville attack switched into high gear midway through the first half when Lebo Moloto, who started out on the right wing, switched with Matt LaGrassa to occupy his customary №10/second striker role. Moloto repeatedly took up dangerous positions to receive service from the wings, and his teammates got the ball to him often. In a rapid fire sequence of near misses late in the first half, Moloto had a header that had beaten the keeper go just wide of the far post, a shot from the top of the box doing off the crossbar, and a headed cross at point blank range go straight to Cincinnati goalkeeper Evan Newton.

Nashville retained control of the game through the second half, but the chances in front of goal dried up, and the Boys In Gold were unable to produce the match-winning goal their play deserved.

So how do we categorize this match: a great performance or a missed opportunity? Why not both?

With the draw, Nashville maintains the eight-point gap behind FCC in the Eastern Conference table. Indy Eleven moves ahead of Nashville thanks to a come-from-behind 2–1 win over Charlotte Independence, bumping the Boys In Gold into fifth place.

Lineup notes

Matt LaGrassa started out at the №10/second striker position normally occupied by Lebo Moloto. Moloto took LaGrassa’s place on the right wing, with Alan Winn lining up on the left wing, which has customarily been the stomping grounds of Taylor Washington and Ish Jome. As noted above, LaGrassa was moved out to a wider role midway through the first half, similar to what we saw against Colorado Rapids.

Attendance

Finally, Cincinnati fans. The part you’ve all been waiting for.

Sorry I had to bore you with all that soccer talk.

Up next

Nashville SC travel to the Queen City to take on Charlotte Independence. The Boys In Gold bested the Independence 2–0 in their first USL meeting at First Tennessee Park on April 7th.