NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 8, 2021) – Nashville Soccer Club extended its season unbeaten streak to four with a 2-0 shutout victory over Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution. The two will square off one more time this season on Aug. 4 at Gillette Stadium, wrapping up the season series.
Undefeated and Vibin’: Nashville SC improved its record to 1W-0L-3D to open the 2021 Major League Soccer campaign with today’s win. They remain unbeaten at Nissan Stadium this season and improved its overall MLS home record to 6W-2L-8D.
Joe Says No: Goalkeeper Joe Willis recorded his second shutout of the season today against the Revs. Willis has now recorded shutouts in back-to-back weeks and his four saves today were a season high.
Two new additions to the scoresheet: Forward CJ Sapong and midfielder Alex Muyl each recorded their first goals as members of Nashville SC. Muyl’s last goal came with the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 24, 2019. Sapong’s goal was his 72nd career in MLS regular season play.
Nashville SC will take on the road for the first time next week by visiting Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m. CT. Tune into MyTV30 or the live stream on www.NashvilleSC.com at 8 p.m. CT to catch on the pregame show.
Match Timeline
NSH 25’ – Dan Lovitz sends in a ball into the box that finds the head of Walker Zimmerman who is able to redirect the pass across to CJ Sapong who slots it home with a sliding effort.
NSH 75’- Nashville SC forces a turnover in the attacking zone, where Alex Muyl collects the loose ball and fires a shot from beyond the 18-yard box past the outstretched arms of New England goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Notes
- Nashville SC earned its first win over New England Revolution in club history. The two sides met twice last season ending in draws
- Nashville SC recorded double-digit shots (16) for the fourth consecutive week
- Nashville SC has out-shot its opponents in every match this season and overall (75-33)
- Gary Smith remains undefeated at home when his team scores the first goal of the match at home (29W-0L-12D)
- Jalil Anibaba, Matt LaGrassa and Taylor Washington made their season debuts as substitutes
- Dominique Badji made his first start of the season
- Randall Leal and Badji led Nashville in shots with five and shots on goal with two. Leal now leads Nashville in shots with 15
- Dan Lovitz and Walker Zimmerman registered their first assists of the season
- Alex Muyl registered his first goal with Nashville SC
- CJ Sapong made his first start and scored his first goal as a member of Nashville SC. Sapong’s first half goal was his seventh career goal against New England, tied for the most he’s scored against any other MLS opponent along with Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United and New York Red Bulls. Sapong led the team today in chances created with three
- Joe Willis earned his 29th career shutout
BOX SCORE
Nashville SC 1W-0L-3D vs. New England Revolution 2W-1L-1D
May 8, 2021 — Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
Final Score
NE: 0
NSH: 2
Scoring Summary
NSH: CJ Sapong (A: Walker Zimmerman, Dan Lovitz) 25’
NSH: Alex Muyl (A: Unassisted) 75’
Discipline
NSH: Dan Lovitz (Caution) 28’
NE: DeJuan Jones (Caution) 57’
NSH: Anibal Godoy (Caution) 90’+
Lineups
NSH: Joe Willis; Daniel Lovitz (Jalil Anibaba 84’), Dave Romney, Walker Zimmerman, Alistair Johnston; Dax McCarty (C) (Matt LaGrassa 82’), Aníbal Godoy; Alex Muyl, Randall Leal; Dominique Badji (Jhonder Cádiz 64’), CJ Sapong (Taylor Washington 72’)
Unused Substitutes: Bryan Meredith, Jack Maher, Dylan Nealis, Luke Haakenson, Rodrigo Piñeiro
TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Badji & Leal & 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Badji & Leal, 2); FOULS: 12 (Johnston 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4; POSSESSION: 41.9%
NE: Matt Turner; Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler, DeJuan Jones (Brandon Bye 64’); Gustavo Bou, Matthew Polster (Tommy McNamara 76’), Maciel (Wilfrid Kaptoum 64’), Carles Gil (C), Arnor Traustason (Teal Bunbury 64’); Adam Buksa, Tajon Buchanan
Unused Substitutes: Scott Caldwell, Brad Knighton, Edward Kizza, Jonathan Bell, A.J. DeLaGarza
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 5; POSSESSION: 58.1%
Referee: Victor Rivas
AR1: Claudiu Badea
AR2: Jeffrey Greeson
4th: Katja Koroleva
VAR: Ricardo Salazar
AVAR: Jeff Muschik
Weather: Cloudy, 63 degrees.
Statistics are unofficial.
