NASHVILLE, TN – You remember some matches forever, no matter what. Tuesday night was one of those, as Nashville SC took down Club América on penalties in the Leagues Cup Round of 16, in a match that truly had everything.
The XI
With his squad almost fully available, Gary Smith was able to field a full-strength lineup. Most importantly, he had Sam Surridge available off the bench for his Nashville SC debut.
#EveryoneN Starting XI vs Club América
— Speedway Soccer (@615Soccer) August 8, 2023
Willis 🧤; Lovitz, MacNaughton, Zimmerman ©, Moore; Davis, Godoy, Muyl; Mukhtar; Fafà, Bunbury
BENCH: Panicco 🧤, Martino 🧤, Maher, McCarty, Surridge, Zubak, Shaffelburg, Wyke, Bauer, Washington, Haakenson, Anunga pic.twitter.com/WdKTbnxekb
On the pitch
Nashville actually created a fair amount of chances in the first half, despite hardly seeing the ball. América dominated possession, controlling the ball for 64% of the first half but only putting two shots on target.
In the second half, things kicked off. A soaring Walker Zimmerman header opened the scoring in the 60th minute, with the defender’s trademark leap punctuating the strike. With his wife Sally set to deliver their baby any day, his celebration was apt.
With 15 minutes to go, América drew level through Diego Valdés, who snuck between Zimmerman and Lukas MacNaughton to hammer home a header of his own. In second-half stoppage time, things went from bad to worse for Nashville. A shot from Valdés struck MacNaughton in the arm, giving the visitors the lead from the penalty spot, and certainly securing the victory.
Sam Surridge had other ideas.
