BRADENTON, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2022) – Nashville Soccer Club opened its 2022 Major League Soccer preseason with a 3-1 victory over expansion side Charlotte FC on Tuesday afternoon at IMG Academy. Forward CJ Sapong recorded a brace with Aké Loba logging both assists.
After the match, Head Coach Gary Smith and back-to-back Major League Soccer Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman spoke to the media.
Nashville SC struck first in the 12th minute of play after a beautiful combination play from Hany Mukhtar to Aké Loba entering the 18-yard box. Loba then delivered a pass to CJ Sapong who secured the first goal of the contest.
The combination of Loba and Sapong struck again to double Nashville’s lead in the 16th minute. Nashville carried that 2-0 lead into the half after a shutout performance from goalkeeper Joe Willis, and a backline anchored by U.S. Men’s Soccer international Walker Zimmerman.
Charlotte FC scored the first goal of the second half with a free-kick in the 61st minute to cut the lead to 2-1. Newly acquired forward Teal Bunbury provided Nashville SC with an insurance goal after burying home a loose ball in the box in the 76th minute to secure the 3-1 victory.
Nashville SC Lineups:
First Half Lineup: Joe Willis, Dan Lovitz, Josh Bauer, Walker Zimmerman, Eric Miller, Sean Miller, Aníbal Godoy, Hany Mukhtar, CJ Sapong, Aké Loba
Second Half Lineup: Bryan Meredith, Alex Muyl, Jack Maher, Robert Castellanos, Taylor Washington, Tah Brian Anunga, Dax McCarty, Randall Leal, Handwalla Bwana (Sub: Daniel Ríos 75’), Luke Haakenson, Teal Bunbury
MATCH NOTES:
Back Like He Never Left: 2021 MLS MVP runner-up Hany Mukhtar picked up right where he left off to start the 2022 preseason. The German midfielder was a catalyst in the first goal registering a secondary assist on CJ Sapong’s 12th minute tally. Mukhtar led all MLS players in 2021 in goals and assists with 28.
Great Day for Aké: Nashville SC playmaker Aké Loba was influential in his first ever preseason match with Nashville SC registering two assists in the 3-1 victory.
Welcome to Nashville: 2022 offseason signing Teal Bunbury sealed the win with an electric strike in his Nashville SC preseason debut. Bunbury collected a loose ball in the box and immediately struck it with his left foot for Nashville’s third goal.
Preseason at a Glance: With the victory over Charlotte FC, Nashville SC improved its overall MLS preseason record to 6W-1L-2D with a goal-differential of 18-7. The Boys in Gold will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 15 against FC Cincinnati from Clearwater, Fla.
