ATLANTA - Nashville SC’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday night in Atlanta with a 2-0 loss to Atlanta United FC.
Pity Martinez netted a brace with a goal near the end of each half. Nashville SC took 16 shots throughout the match but could not find the back of the net.
Nashville SC got to the attack right away when Randall Leal took a shot in the first minute that sailed high. The teams went back and forth throughout much of the half, and Atlanta got a pair of chances in the 24’ and 25’ minutes, with the second requiring a diving save by Joe Willis. Nashville SC earned two free kicks in the 28’ and 29’ minutes, but couldn’t convert either.
A solid offensive buildup in the 31’ minute led to a long Aníbal Godoy chance that went wide. He took another long chance in the 36’ minute that was saved by goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
After Nashville nearly scored when Dax McCarty played Alistair Johnston in on goal, Atlanta countered and scored in the 40’ minute with a run and shot by Pity Martinez. The goal ended a 298-minute shutout streak for Nashville SC.
In the second half, Nashville SC earned a pair of corners in the 53’ minute but couldn’t convert. Rios took a chance towards goal right after entering in the 80’ minute, but his shot outside the box sailed high.
Nashville took a few more chances before a giveaway in the midfield led to a counterattack and another Martinez goal in the 87’ minute.
Goals:
40’ - Pity Martinez (ATL)
87’ - Pity Martinez (ATL)
Key Stat:
16 - Nashville SC took 16 shots throughout the match, compared to Atlanta’s 6.
Up Next:
Nashville SC travels to the Sunshine State to take on Orlando City SC on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on MyTV30, ESPN 94.9 and El Jefe 96.7
Lineup: Joe Willis; Dan Lovitz, Walker Zimmerman, Dave Romney, Jalil Anibaba (Taylor Washington — 85’); Dax McCarty, Aníbal Godoy, Alistair Johnston (David Accam — 67’), Hany Mukhtar (Daniel Ríos — 80’); Randall Leal, Dominique Badji (Abu Danladi — 80’)
Unused Substitutes — Jack Maher, Derrick Jones, Matt LaGrassa, Elliot Panicco, Brayan Beckeles
Disciplinary:
ATL: Brooks Lennon (caution) — 6’
Anton Walkes (caution) — 28
George Bello (caution) — 78’
NSH: Daniel Lovitz (caution) — 48’
