FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2023)– Nashville Soccer Club held Inter Miami CF to a scoreless draw at DRV PNK Stadium in its second of three fixtures this week. The shutout draw came off the back of a stellar team-wide defensive performance that stopped Miami from scoring for the first time since their signings in the summer transfer window.
Defense is key: Nashville SC recorded its eighth shutout of the season, extending its run for fewest number of goals allowed in MLS this season with 26. Nashville SC has held Inter Miami CF to its first scoreless match in its current 10-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Prior to tonight’s shutout, Nashville SC held Inter Miami CF to its fewest goals at one in regulation in the Leagues Cup 2023 final.
Panicco in goal: Nashville SC’s Leagues Cup 2023 starting goalkeeper Elliot Panicco made his first MLS appearance and start for the Boys in Gold of the 2023 season. This match marks his third overall start for the club. Panicco recorded four critical saves for Nashville SC to maintain its shutout on the night.
Welcome to GEODIS Park, Charlotte FC: Nashville SC will now turn its attention to its third and final fixture of the week as it hosts Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on Saturday, Sept. 2. Nashville SC will face off with the North Carolina side for the second and final time this season.
Notes:
· Nashville SC:
- held Inter Miami CF to a draw for the second time in 11 days
- earned its first 0-0 draw since Apr. 8, 2023 against Toronto FC
- recorded its eighth shutout of the season
- extended its record wearing the Man in Black kit to 3W-3L-2D
- had a successful dribble percentage of 61.1%
- won 58.2% of its duels and 75% of its aerial duels on the night
· Tah Brian Anunga led the team with six possessions won
· Randall Leal led the team with three fouls won
· Dax McCarty led the team in accurate passing percentage with 94.1% (minimum 30 passes)
· Hany Mukhtar led the team in dribbles with eight and successful dribbles
· Alex Muyl led the team with five tackles
· Elliot Panicco
- made his first MLS start and appearance of 2023, third career MLS start with Nashville SC
- recorded his first shutout with Nashville SC and extended his record in goal to 1W-0L-2D for the Boys in Gold
· Fafá Picault led the team with six entries into the final third and two chances created
· Jacob Shaffelburg led the team with 0.16 expected goals (xG)
Box Score:
Nashville SC (11W-9L-6D, 39 pts) vs. Inter Miami CF (6W-14L-4D, 22 pts)
Aug. 30, 2023 – DRV PNK Stadium
Final Score:
NSH: 0
MIA: 0
Discipline:
MIA: David Gomez (Caution) 45’ + 1
MIA: Sergio Busquets (Caution) 45’ + 2
MIA: Robert Taylor (Caution) 50’
NSH: Dax McCarty (Caution) 59’
MIA: Tomas Aviles (Caution) 76’
NSH: Jack Maher (Caution) 81’
Lineups:
NSH Starters: Elliot Panicco; Dan Lovitz, Lukas MacNaughton, Jack Maher, Shaq Moore; Dax McCarty (C) (Aníbal Godoy 65’), Randall Leal (Jacob Shaffelburg 45’), Teal Bunbury (Hany Mukhtar 45’), Alex Muyl (Luke Haakenson 65’), Tah Brian Anunga; Fafá Picault (Sean Davis 84’)
Substitutes: Joe Willis, Ethan Zubak, Josh Bauer, Taylor Washington
MIA Starters: Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Jordi Alba, Kamal Miller; Dixon Arroyo (Facundo Farias 45’), Sergio Busquets, Tomas Aviles, Diego Gomez (Benjamin Cremaschi 70’), Lionel Messi (C); Robert Taylor (David Ruiz 70’), Josef Martinez (Leo Campana 70’)
Substitutes: Christopher McVey, Victor Ulloa, Nicolas Stefanelli, CJ Dos Santos, Noah Allen
Match Officials:
Referee: Chris Penso
AR1: Jose Da Silva
AR2: Kevin Klinger
4TH Official: Natalie Simon
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
Weather: Clear, 86 degrees
