NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 4, 2023)– Nashville SC (12W-10L-9D, 45 pts) suffered a 1-0 loss against Orlando City SC (16W-7L-9D, 57 pts) for its first MLS regular season loss at GEODIS Park since July 12, 2023. Duncan McGuire finished a pass by Martin Odeja in the 44th minute to take Orlando into halftime one goal ahead. Nashville SC looked to get on the scoreboard but was unable to find the back of the net despite arduous effort throughout the match with eight shots.
Defense Stands Strong: The Boys in Gold’s backline remains one of the best in MLS having allowed the fewest goals in 2023 with 29. Nashville SC has allowed an average 0.94 goals per 90 minutes through the season with two shutouts in its last five matches, and only three goals allowed in that span.
Saturday in the City of Brotherly Love: Nashville SC will round out its three-match week with a trip to the City of Brotherly Love to take on Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available via the MLS Season Pass on the AppleTV app. This will mark Nashville SC’s final away match of the 2023 MLS regular season.
Match Timeline:
ORL 44’: Martin Odeja takes it down the sideline and Duncan McGuire finds the back of the net off Odeja’s cross
Notes:
- Nashville SC:
- has allowed the fewest goals in MLS (29)
- conceded its 10th goal at home over the entire season, averaging 0.67 goals allowed per 90 minutes at GEODIS Park (15 home matches)
- has two of its remaining three regular season matches remaining at home
- concluded its midweek matches with a 17W-6L-11D all-time record since 2020
- is 8W-3L-4D at GEODIS Park in 2023 with two more home matches to conclude the regular season
- Tah Brian Anunga returned to the starting XI after he last featured on Aug. 30, 2023 at Inter Miami CF in a scoreless draw
- Aníbal Godoy led the team with two chances created and 51 accurate passes
- Randall Leal led the team with 12 duels
- Dan Lovitz received two yellow cards and was subsequently ejected; he will miss Nashville SC’s upcoming match against Philadelphia Union
- Shaq Moore missed a match for the first time since July 15, 2023 at FC Cincinati after suffering an injury on Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC
- Hany Mukhtar led the team with four shots, two chances created and eight duels won
- Alex Muyl featured as right back in place of Shaq Moore
- Sam Surridge
- recorded his first full performance since coming back from an injury suffered at Atlanta United FC on Aug. 26, 2023
- led the team with two chances created
- Walker Zimmerman led the team with 10 possessions won, four interceptions and three clearances
Box Score:
Nashville SC (12W-10L-9D, 45 pts) vs. Orlando City SC (16W-7L-9D, 57 pts)
Oct. 4, 2023 – GEODIS Park
Final Score:
NSH: 0
ORL: 1
Scoring Summary:
ORL: Duncan McGuire (A: Martin Ojeda) 44’
Discipline:
NSH: Tah Brian Anunga (Caution) 34’
NSH: Hany Mukhtar (Caution) 38’
NSH: Sam Surridge (Caution) 41’
ORL: Wilder Cartagena (Caution) 46’
NSH: Dan Lovitz (Caution) 79’
NSH: Dan Lovitz (Ejection, second caution) 90’ + 11
Lineups:
NSH Starters: Joe Willis; Dan Lovitz, Jack Maher, Walker Zimmerman (C); Randall Leal (Teal Bunbury 77’), Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl (Taylor Washington 84’), Aníbal Godoy, Tah Brian Anunga (Sean Davis 61’); Fafá Picault (Jacob Shaffelburg 61’), Sam Surridge
Substitutes: Dax McCarty, Ethan Zubak, Josh Bauer, Luke Haakenson, Elliot Panicco
ORL Starters: Pedro Gallese; Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Kyle Smith (Dagur Thorhalisson 84’); Cesar Araujo, Mauricio Pereyra (C) (Ivan Angulo 65’), Wilder Cartagena, Facundo Torres (Junior Urso 71’); Martin Ojeda (Antonio Carlos 84’), Duncan McGuire (Ramiro Enrique 65’)
Substitutes: Felipe Martins, Luca Petrasso, Gaston Gonzalez, Mason Stajduhar
Match Officials:
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
AR1: Logan Brown
AR2: Kevin Lock
4TH Official: Nima Saghafi
VAR: Sorin Stoica
AVAR: Joshua Patiak
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees
