Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC
Nashville SC takes on Inter Miami in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 in what should be one of the most exciting games of the early season.
Inter Miami will host NSC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:15 p.m. CT.
The Boys in Gold went up 2-0 on the Lionel Messi led side but Miami tied it up behind goals from Messi and Luis Suarez in stoppage time. This game saw the excellence of Jacob Shaffelburg who scored two goals and the return of Hany Mukhtar. But it was the physicality that stole the headlines with cheap shots taken on Shaffelburg, to Anibal Godoy’s scuffle with Miami stars, to the so-called “no call” on Lukas MacNaughton.
The emotions were on last Thursday’s matchup and are expected to be high again with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
Here’s what to look out for on Wednesday night’s game.
Healthy Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge
Hany Mukhtar made the start against Miami and then came in as a substitute in Nashville’s 2-2 MLS draw against LA Galaxy. And to the joy of many fans, Sam Surridge made his second appearance of the season when he replaced Teal Bunbury in the 75th minute.
It will not be surprising if we see Mukhtar starting again against Miami but it’s hard to believe that Surridge is ready to star. The Englishman will most likely make a second half entrance, offering an extra layer danger for Miami they didn’t have to face last match.
Nashville performed very well with a slow Mukhtar and no Surridge but now will have the opportunity to show their stronger side.
Prepare For a Card Show
There was shockingly only one yellow card shown in the first matchup between these two team despite the physicality. Fans got to see replays of cheap shots taken against Shaffelburg and even more complained about a card not being shown to MacNaughton after Messi ran into his cleats on a clearance.
Godoy is by far one of the most physical players on the pitch every game. Things got very chippy when he and Messi and other Miami players got in each others faces. Tensions will be high again. Despite their ages, Messi, Suarez, and Godoy are all fierce competitors and want silverware.
With all this tension and outside attention, don’t be surprised if the referee tries to have a bit more control of the game.
Shut Down Messi, Shut Down Suarez
The key for a Nashville SC win is to shut down Messi and to shut down Suarez. It’s quite simple yet will be the most difficult job for the defense. Both scored goals last game and in the second half, playing all 90 minutes plus stoppage time despite their age.
Now, with Walker Zimmerman likely not to be available, things will be even more difficult for the Nashville defense. NSC will have to rely on MacNaughton, Shaq Moore, Dan Lovitz, and Jack Maher to add pressure on the former Barcelona superstars.
Projected Starting Lineup
Bunbury
Shaffelburg | Mukhtar| Muyl
Godoy | Davis
Lovitz | MacNaughton | Maher | Moore
Willis
