Indy Eleven has Nashville SC’s number. On Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park, two first-half goals by the visitors broke Nashville’s unbeaten streak in the USL and perfect record at its home field with a 2-0 win.
A corner led to the first Indy goal in the 16’ minute as defender Karl Ouimette was able to head in the cross from Ayoze to put Nashville behind for the first time at home. Indy doubled its lead in the 35’ minute as Justin Braun was able to beat Nashville keeper Matt Pickens low.
Nashville dominated the ball for much of the second half but was unable to find the net as Indy’s defense hunkered in to prevent getting beat. The strategy worked as Indy recorded its seventh shutout of the season.
“I think the story of the evening, really, for us was that after dominating pretty much between the penalty boxes, we weren’t clinical enough or incisive enough in their box,” said NSC Head coach Gary Smith. “They got numbers behind the ball and did a pretty decent job, something that we’ve done pretty well in the past. So we had a bit of a taste our own medicine there. They were clinical enough in our penalty box to take away a good victory.”
Despite getting eight corner kicks, Nashville was unable to find the net—resulting in back to back losses.
“I think one thing to keep in mind is individual moments and maybe not one person but every player and every play,” said Defender Ryan James. “I think there have been some moments in both games that maybe we took our mind off or we just took our eyes off the game and you get a goal scored on you and it’s hard to come back when you get scored on. I think we just need to take care of every moment and stay sharp every single time and I think that’s a lesson we can take away from these games.”
Nashville drops to 6th in the East with the loss. The homestand will continue on Saturday night for Nashville SC as Atlanta United 2 will come to town for the first time. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.
