Louisville, Ky. (May 25, 2022) – Nashville Soccer Club advanced to the Quarterfinals in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory at Louisville City FC on Wednesday night. Aké Loba scored the opening goal for Nashville with Hany Mukhtar securing the game-winner in the 89th minute.
Mr. Loba Loba, ah Loba Loba: Nashville SC forward Aké Loba scored his first goal of the season tonight for the Boys in Gold immediately following Louisville opening the match with a goal. The two goals were two minutes apart, with Loba scoring in the 39th minute to give Nashville back the momentum.
Mama, There Goes That Man: Midfielder Hany Mukhtar scored the game-winner in the 89th minute for Nashville SC, marking back-to-back goals for Mukhtar in Open Cup matches. The midfielder opened the scoring in the win over Atlanta United FC on May 11. Overall, Mukhtar has scored four goals and two assists in his last four matches across all competitions.
Welcome To The Show, Panicco: Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliott Panicco made his Nashville SC debut tonight against Louisville City after his loan was recalled from Indy Eleven on Tuesday. In his debut, Panicco made four saves in route to the Nashville SC win.
To the Quarterfinals: Nashville SC will now take on Orlando City SC in the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after the Lions beat Inter Miami CF in penalties on Wednesday night. The match will take place at Exploria Stadium on either June 21 or 22.
Nashville SC will return to MLS action this Saturday when the Boys in Gold take on the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Fans can follow all the action on MyTV30 and the NashvilleSC.com/Stream starting with the pregame show at 7:30 p.m. CT. They can also listen to the call via the free iHeartRADIO app by searching Nashville SC for English and on all three El Jefe stations 96.7FM, 105.3FM, and 810AM for Spanish.
Match Timeline
LOU37’: Brian Ownby receives a cross into the 18-yard box and heads home the effort
NSH 39’: Luke Haakenson is played a deep ball on the wing and then sends a pass across the face of goal to Aké Loba who slots home the effort
NSH 89’: Hany Mukhtar finds himself 1v1 with the Louisville keeper and slots home in the game-winner
Notes
- Nashville SC:
- is now 2W-0L-0D all-time in Open Cup competition as an MLS side
- earned its third from behind victory in all competitions this season tonight (also April 9 at Sporting Kansas City and May 11 vs. Atlanta United FC)
- has won back-to-back matches in Open Cup competition after surrendering the first goal of the match
- owns an 20W-0L-7D all-time record when scoring two or more goals in a match in all competitions
- is 6W-1L-5D all-time in the month of May
- is 13W-15L-14D all-time on the road
- is now 15W-3L-9D in weekday matches in all competitions
- faced a USL Championship side for the first time in a non-friendly as an MLS side
- had every shot attempt on frame tonight
- won the duel percentage 61.7-38.3 against Louisville in the second half
- Handwalla Bwana earned his first career assist for Nashville SC tonight
- Luke Haakenson notched his second career assist
- Aníbal Godoy started and led the team in passing percentage at 91.4%
- Dax McCarty wore the Captain’s armband and led the team in touches with 62 and fouls earned with three
- Dave Romney led the team in passes with 51
Box Score:
Nashville SC (2W-0L-0D) vs. Louisville City FC (2W-1L-0D) Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
May 25, 2022 – Lynn Family Stadium
Final Score
NSH: 2
LOU: 1
Scoring Summary
LOU: Brian Ownby (A. Dia) 37’
NSH: Aké Loba (Luke Haakenson) 39’
NSH: Hany Mukhtar (Handwalla Bwana) 89’
Discipline
NSH: Luke Haakenson (caution) 48’
LOU: Niall McCabe (caution) 86’
NSH: Taylor Washington (caution) 90 + 7’
Lineups
NSH: Elliot Panicco, Dave Romney, Jack Maher (Walker Zimmerman 69’), Dan Lovitz; Taylor Washington, Aníbal Godoy (Tah Brian Anunga 77’), Dax McCarty ©, Alex Muyl, Luke Haakenson (Handwalla Bwana 69’); Aké Loba (Hany Mukhtar 77’), Ethan Zubak (CJ Sapong 77’)
Unused Substitutes: Josh Bauer, Joe Willis
LOU: Kyle Morton, Manny Perez, Josh Wynder (Wesley Charpie 51’), Sean Totsch, Amadou Dia (Oscar Jimenez 81’), Tyler Gibson, Corben Bone © (Niall McCabe 70’), Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris (Cameron Lancaster 70’), Enoch Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby (Paolo DelPiccolo 81’)
Unused Substitutes: Parker Siegfried, Napo Matsoso
REFEREE: Eric Tattersall
Weather: Clear, 80 degrees
