NSC PROVES RESILIENT IN CUP MATCH
CINCINNATI – Nashville SC was equal to the best team in USL history, FC Cincinnati, for 120 minutes in Cincinnati on Saturday night, but fell in penalty kicks in a gut-wrenching loss in the opening round of the USL Cup Playoffs.
120 in a Nutshell
With everything on the line, FC Cincinnati came out of the gate with an immediate offensive mindset. In the 10’ Cincy earned the first corner kick of the match before forcing Nashville keeper Matt Pickens to make a key swat in the 17’ minute to stop a potential Cincinnati break-away situation.
After settling in, Nashville’s best opportunity in the first half came in the 24’ on a free kick from 30 yards out. After the initial header, Ropapa Mensah put what was the first shot on frame for either side. His header forced the Cincinnati keeper to make a save to keep SC off the board. Mensah continued to give Cincinnati’s back line issues in the first half, putting another shot on frame in the 40’, forcing another save by FCC keeper Spencer Richey.
After the halftime break, Nashville came out itching to score the first goal of the evening. In the 48’ minute, Winn nearly netted the go-ahead goal after taking a shot from point blank range just in front of the goal, but the Cincinnati keeper made an impressive save to keep things scoreless.
Mensah continued to be an offensive threat throughout the second half, putting dangerous shots toward Cincinnati’s goal. He nearly bent in a shot from outside the 18 in the 74’ that hit the crossbar before firing another shot in the 80’ that forced Cincy’s fourth save of the night. Neither team was able to find a game-winning goal in the final 10 minutes of regulation, sending the sides into extra time.
Five minutes into extra time, Cincinnati broke the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. After possessing the ball in the FC Cincy attacking third, Kenney Walker played a ball to Corben Bone in space who struck the ball into the back of the Nashville net.
Nashville kept its poise and found the equalizer in the 114’. After a free kick deflected to set up a Nashville corner, Bradley Bourgeois struck the ball beautifully and it deflected just over the Cincy keeper into the back of the net.
Brandon Allen nearly put the game away in the 117’ but another great save kept the game tied. Ultimately 120 minutes wasn’t enough to decide it and the game went to PKs.
Both teams had all five PK takers score, but SC’s sixth PK taker of the night, Justin Davis, missed the net. Cincinnati’s Kenny Walker then scored to advance Cincinnati to the next round
Goals
95’ FCC – Corben Bone (assisted by Kenney Walker)
114’ NSH – Bradley Bourgeois (assisted Kris Tyrpak)
Quotable
“They still have not beaten us in regular time. That is a tremendous feat given what they have at their disposal. To go down in extra time and equalize is phenomenal.”
Up Next
Nashville’s season comes to an end and the team will head into its first offseason. Stay tuned to NashvilleSC.com for all the latest news and updates from the club.
