NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC's winning streak came to an end at Geodis Park on Saturday night, falling 2-1 to rivals FC Cincinnati after Kévin Denkey converted a late penalty kick to give the visitors three points.
The XI
BJ Callaghan made just two changes to the side that beat CF Montréal last weekend, bringing Ahmed Qasem and Patrick Yazbek back into the lineup after a stomach bug kept them out in the prior match. Josh Bauer maintained his place at right back, with Andy Nájar eased back into things after playing 174 minutes on international duty.
Nashville SC Starting XI vs FC Cincinnati Willis; Lovitz, Maher, Zimmerman ©, Bauer; Tagseth, Yazbek; Muyl, Qasem; Surridge, Mukhtar BENCH: Schwake, Palacios, Brugman, Bunbury, Shaffelburg, Corcoran, Washington, Pérez, Nájar #EveryoneN #NSHvCIN
— SixOneFive Soccer (@sixonefivesoccer.com) 2025-03-29T23:34:03.168Z
On the pitch
The opening moments of the first half were the most tightly-contested of Nashville's season so far. Both teams were able to create a few half chances, but both defended well and limited space in front of goal.
Nashville got their opener from an unlikely source, with Josh Bauer smashing home a half-volley for his second-ever MLS goal, just one week after opening his account. It looked like Nashville would carry a valuable lead into halftime until 2023 Best XI midfielder Evander curled an inch-perfect free kick into the top corner.
EVANDER! 🤯
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 30, 2025
It's a set piece stunner equalizer for @fccincinnati. pic.twitter.com/z4eOYh5Rpy
The second half was in keeping with the first. With chances at a premium, Hany Mukhtar had a golden opportunity to put Nashville ahead from the penalty spot just minutes into the half. The 2023 MLS MVP stepped up after Walker Zimmerman was pulled down in the box, but saw his attempt saved by Roman Celentano. It was Mukhtar's fourth miss from his last seven attempts.
The miss would cost Nashville. Just at the start of second-half stoppage time, Zimmerman was called for a handball in the box, when Corey Baird's header smashed into his arm rather innocuously from close range. With his own chance to capitalize from the spot, Kévin Denkey didn't miss, giving Cincinnati a valuable three points and ending Nashville's winning streak.
The big picture
The matchup was Nashville's toughest of the season so far, and the margins were as close as they could get. The main talking point will certainly be the two penalty kicks, but Nashville created plenty of chances from open play. It's simultaneously encouraging that they're able to make their own chances, and frustrating that better finishing could have netted a multiple-goal lead.
The result was much more disappointing than the performance, which again showed Nashville's improvements in possession and in the counter-press, pinning Cincinnati back for long stretches and pushing the game forward. It's still early in Callaghan's overhaul of this squad, and despite the loss, Nashville are significantly ahead of expectations already.
Highlights
Up next
It's a Southern Championship Belt road trip for Nashville next weekend, traveling to Charlotte FC on Saturday. That match will kick off at 1:30 pm CT.
Stats
Possession: NSH 46% - 54% CIN
Passes completed: NSH 361 - 443 CIN
Shots: NSH 14 - 17 CIN
Shots on goal: NSH 7 - 6 CIN
Penalty kicks: NSH 1 - 1 CIN
Goals: NSH 1 - 2 CIN
Expected goals: NSH 2.50 - 1.99 CIN
Fouls: NSH 16 - 8 CIN
Yellow cards: NSH 1 - 0 CIN
Red cards: NSH 0 – 0 CIN
