Final Whistle: Nashville Ends the Night Early
- Jon Nelson
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
The question for Atlanta United heading into Saturday was what the attack would look like with Miguel Almirón out of the lineup for the next week or so, as divulged earlier in the week at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. The answer came in the form of Jay Fortune in the midfield.
Lucas Hoyos started in net. The backline was unchanged in MLS play with Elias Báez, Enea Mihaj, Stian Gregersen, and Tomás Jacob. Jay Fortune was in the midfield with Tristan Muyumba and Cooper Sanchez. Alexey Miranchuk and Matias Galarza spearheaded the attack with Latte Lath up top.
BJ Callaghan was once again without Sam Surridge for the second consecutive match in his Nashville SC lineup. Brian Schwake in net was behind Daniel Lovitz, Max Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, and Andy Najar. Eddi Tagseth and Matthew Corcoran were in front of them, with Ahmed Qasem, Warren Madrigal, Hany Mukhtar, and Cristian Espinoza in the attack.
Atlanta United's pressure in the first 45 limited Nashville SC to very few clear looks. Any time the visitors had possession, the pressing was instant, holding Nashville to 46 percent possession in the first half.
The youth of Atlanta United came up big. Cooper Sanchez had the Five Stripes' first clear chance on Brian Schwake with a right-footed shot inside the 18. Alexey Miranchuk had an opportunity to get a shot on target in the 13th minute, but the Nashville defense closed down the weaving effort inside the box.
Lucas Hoyos registered four saves in the first half on six Nashville shots. But as Atlanta had control of most of the first 30 minutes, Nashville returned the dominance in the final 15. Two chances back-to-back in the 38th minute resulted in corner kicks that had the backline clear away a flick header on the first and force a point-blank save on the second.
Nashville had their best chance of the half in the 41st minute, after winning possession back in their own half. The ball moved quickly to Cristian Espinoza and then to Hany Mukhtar. Slightly ahead of the defense, Hoyos made the save on the attempt. The home team then had to survive another late attempt off a set piece, as Tristan Muyumba was called for a foul in a collision with Warren Madrigal about 23 yards from goal. Mukhtar's subsequent free kick tried to fool Hoyos with a short hop, but the keeper was up to the task, parrying the ball away and stopping the run.
At the half, Atlanta United had more possession (54 to 46 percent), but Nashville had more shots (6 to 3) and Hoyos had four saves. Atlanta's pressing gave them more interceptions (11 to 4). Tomás Jacob had the highest grade of any field player, with four different defensive categories registered on the half.
With both sides having more to play for in the midweek schedule, the question was how long Tata Martino and BJ Callaghan would stick with their lineups heading into those matches.
Nashville scored first with 30 minutes to go, after Latte Lath was dispossessed near the center circle. Mukhtar led a 5-on-2 break in transition. The pass went from the middle to the right side, with Cristian Espinoza sending the ball past Hoyos at the far post. Nashville almost added another on the next possession, but Tristan Muyumba retreated to stop the chance.
Tata Martino went to his bench with a little more than 20 minutes to go, as Pedro Amador and Fafa Picault entered for ElÃas Báez and Cooper Sanchez. Saba Lobjanidze also checked in with 15 minutes to go for Jay Fortune, adding fresh legs forward. Cayman Togashi was another substitute, entering for Latte Lath with ten minutes remaining.
Atlanta United had a chance to equalize with 15 minutes to go on an entry into the Nashville 18. Alexey Miranchuk was hit from behind inside the box, but there was no foul call and no review on the play.
Nashville added a second in the first minute of stoppage time. The ball went from the right side to Hany Mukhtar in the middle of the pitch, and with numbers up, Nashville had Shak Mohamed receive the pass to Mukhtar's left and put the ball past Hoyos.
The result was the sixth loss in eight matches for Atlanta United. For Nashville, it was the 11th result and the sixth win in 15 all-time meetings in the series. Nashville had five big chances in 90 minutes. Atlanta United did not register one. While the Five Stripes had control early, Nashville navigated the opening spell and outplayed them for the final 60 minutes. The task now for Atlanta United is to prepare for the New England Revolution as the matches continue in rapid-fire succession through April.