Nashville SC vs. Ottawa Fury: NSC coasts to 2–0 win
NASHVILLE — Carried forward by the positive momentum of a 1–1 draw against conference leaders FC Cincinnati last weekend, Nashville SC returned to First Tennessee Park on Friday night and handed Ottawa Fury a convincing 2–0 defeat. Especially reassuring for Nashville is the fact that the scoreline was reversed in the revere fixture on July 21, which might have been the darkest moment of the season if not for the 0–2 loss to Toronto FC II a week later.
This was the second straight match in which head coach Gary Smith opted for a three-man backline, with Taylor Washington and Ish Jome occupying the left and right wingback positions. It was an attacking-heavy lineup that, apart from Washington and Jome, didn’t have much to offer in the way of speed, indicating that Smith thought the way to three points was in breaking down Ottawa’s defense, not beating them on the counter.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute, when Lebo Moloto, returning to the starting XI after being dropped to the bench vs. FCC, took on a defender and beat him to the byline before sending in a cutback pass to Matt LaGrassa, whose finish was cool and composed and slotted perfectly to the far post.
Nashville put the game to bed in the 59th minute when Tucker Hume won a penalty and Brandon Allen sent Ottawa keeper Maxime Crepeau the wrong way, doubling the lead for the Boys In Gold. Nashville entered the night with a perfect 4–0–0 record in matches they’ve scored two or more goals, so the three points felt pretty secure with 30 minutes.
Even so, Smith’s substitutions were more oriented toward seeing out the result than piling on the goal difference. Bradley Bourgeois made his return to action, replacing Ish Jome; Ropapa Mensah came on for Hume; and Bolu Akinyode came on for Moloto.
Man of the Match
He won’t show up in the box score, but Taylor Washington had another excellent game from the left wingback position. Nashville’s 3–5–2 formation, though not always fluid, unlocks Washington to be an absolute menace on the left flank. He was taking defenders on with the ball at his feet, and his willingness to run keeps passing options open for his teammates.
After Washington, this guy was a close second for Man of the Match honors.
Standings implications
The victory moves Nashville to 34 points on the season and sixth place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Bethlehem Steel.
Up Next
Nashville SC travel to Slugger Field (ugh) on Aug. 18 to take on Louisville City. They make their return to First Tennessee a week later, against Bethlehem Steel.
