NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 7, 2023) – Nashville SC concluded its 2023 season Tuesday night at GEODIS Park after falling to Orlando City SC 1-0 in Game 2 of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series. The Boys in Gold had 10 shots and saw a continuation of the team’s season-long stellar defensive play by allowing just one goal through 16 Orlando City SC shots. Tuesday’s match capped a record-breaking season that saw the club register nine home wins while matching a franchise-high 13 MLS victories.
Concacaf Champions Cup Next: Nashville SC’s 2024 season will kick off with its participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup in February. The Boys in Gold will learn their schedule and opponent on Dec. 13 when Concacaf hosts a draw for Round One.
Thank You, Music City: During the 2023 season, GEODIS Park surpassed the 1-million mark in attendance. The Boys in Gold led the 29-team MLS in attendance during the regular season for soccer-specific stadiums.
Match Timeline:
ORL 6’: Iván Angulo battles in the box and collects a deflection to chip the ball into the back of the net
Notes:
· Nashville SC:
o is one of only three teams to make the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in each of its first four years of existence (also, Chicago Fire FC and Seattle Sounders FC)
o owns a record of 9W-5L-4D across all MLS competitions (regular season and playoffs) at GEODIS Park in 2023
· Dan Lovitz, Hany Mukhtar, Joe Willis, and Walker Zimmerman have started every MLS Playoff match in club history
· Dan Lovitz, Joe Willis and Walker Zimmerman have all played every minute of Nashville SC’s Audi MLS Cup Playoff history (810)
· Aníbal Godoy led the team with 68 accurate passes
· Lukas MacNaughton led the team with five clearances and two interceptions
· Dax McCarty leads the league among active players in playoffs minutes registered (2,602), is tied at first in playoff appearances (30) alongside Osvaldo Alonza (Atlanta United FC) and moved into sole possession of second place in most playoff matches started (28)
· Shaq Moore led the team with eight possessions won
· Walker Zimmerman led the team with 14 of 19 total duels won and 12 of 13 aerial duels won
Box Score:
Seventh seed Nashville SC (13W-11L-10D, 49 pts.) vs. Second seed Orlando City SC (18W-7L-9D, 63 pts.)
Nov. 7, 2023 – GEODIS Park
Final Score:
NSH: 0
ORL: 1
Scoring Summary:
ORL: Iván Angulo (Unassisted) 6’
Discipline:
NSH: Sam Surridge (Caution) 23’
NSH: Aníbal Godoy (Caution) 24’
ORL: Wilder Cartagena (Caution) 27’
ORL: Mauricio Pereyra (Caution) 36’
ORL: Rafael Santos (Caution) 60’
NSH: Teal Bunbury (Caution) 87’
ORL: Rodrigo Schlegel (Caution) 90’ + 1
ORL: Pedro Gallese (Caution) 90’ + 2
NSH: Dan Lovitz (Caution) 90’ + 3
Lineups:
NSH Starters: Joe Willis; Dan Lovitz, Lucas MacNaughton (Teal Bunbury 76’), Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman (C); Dax McCarty (Sean Davis 58’), Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl (Jacob Shaffelburg 58’), Aníbal Godoy; Fafà Picault, Sam Surridge
Substitutes: Jack Maher, Teal Bunbury, Josh Bauer, Taylor Washington, Luke Haakenson, Tah Brian Anunga, Elliot Panicco
ORL Starters: Pedro Gallese; Rafael Santos (Kyle Smith 72’), Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Dagur Thorhallsson; César Araújo, Mauricio Pereyra (C) (Junior Urso 68’), Wilder Cartagena, Iván Angulo (Martin Ojeda 68’); Duncan McGuire (Antonio Carlos 80’), Facundo Torres (Ramiro Enrique 80’)
Substitutes: Felipe Martins, Gastón González, Michael Halliday, Mason Stajduhar
Match Officials:
Referee: Allen Chapman
AR1: Kathryn Nesbitt
AR2: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt
4TH: Tori Penso
VAR: Edvin Jurisevik
AVAR: Tyler Wyrostek
Weather: Clear, 65 degrees
