Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC
Nashville SC arrived to Geodis Park with a lot to prove on Thursday night. Its offense had looked sluggish to start the season, and with the most talented roster in MLS coming to town, Nashville put together an impressive performance that was vastly improved on the offensive end and, overall, showcased a solid defensive outing to boot.
The match ended in a draw that may have felt like a loss due to Miami’s Luis Suárez finding the back of the net to equalize in the 90+5’ minute, but plenty of grit and determination was shown by Gary Smith’s side that should give Nashville SC fans something to be optimistic about, highlighted by Jacob Shaffelburg’s two-goal performance.
The Performances
Jacob Shaffelburg — Shaffelburg was simply brilliant. The work that the Canadian winger put in alongside Tyler Boyd was second to none, and he was not cheated on either of his two goals. He brilliantly drifted wide into space for his first score and opted for a powerful finish that, while maybe not perfectly placed, was hit with enough force to whiz by the Miami keeper. His second was hit with force and picked out perfectly, going upper-90 just two minutes into the second half.
Shaffelburg was also picked on throughout the match by Miami, likely as a result of his early goal and flashy celebration in front of The Backline. He was brought down by Federico Redondo in a challenge that netted the visiting Argentine a yellow card (which realistically should have been a red as Redondo’s elbow went flying into the Nashville man’s face) and was later brought down aggressively off-the-ball, right in front of the fourth official who stood raising his board indicating the amount of stoppage time but swallowed his whistle.
Hany Mukhtar — Hany Mukhtar was named in Nashville’s Starting XI for the first time since February 22. Although his performance was relatively quiet by his standards, his presence, creativity, and ability to command space led to quick breaks for Nashville and an overall boost to its offense. Before the match, Mukhtar was also joined by Nashville SC GM Mike Jacobs to announce his contact extension, one that will keep the former MVP in Nashville through 2026 with an option in 2027. Mukhtar’s impact will certainly rev up to its normal levels once he regains his fitness.
Shaq Moore and Walker Zimmerman— We have a two-for-one here with Shaq Moore and Walker Zimmerman. Moore was too much to handle for Inter Miami on the evening, relentlessly sending balls forward, making eight recoveries, creating one chance, and scoring once until he was questionably ruled offsides in a very, very close decision. That being said, he may have been the man at fault for failing to mark Luis Suárez on Miami’s late equalizer. Zimmerman was stout in the middle, winning all three of his duels, and logging five clearances with four recoveries to boot.
The Counter Attack
Nashville SC did not stray from its identity one bit in this match. From the first minute on, the gameplan was to rely on Aníbal Godoy, Sean Davis, and the backline to stifle an elite squad that Nashville was ready to let possess the ball. Inter Miami controlled 70% of the possession and steered six shots on frame of which Joe Willis saved four.
The defense played well all things considered, barring an inevitable moment of individual brilliance from Lionel Messi and a damning lapse in concentration in which Luis Suárez was left unmarked at the back post on a 90+5’ minute cross to level things at the death. Had Nashville been matched up with any other MLS club in that circumstance, the Boys in Gold likely walk away with the win after holding a 2-0 advantage.
On offense, Nashville was quick to break and took advantage of an opponent who perhaps was a bit lackadaisical to start each half. Shaffelburg scored his first in the 4’ minute and again in the 47’ minute, and his second-half goal was just one several quality attempts by Nashville right out of halftime.
Several counter opportunities initiated from the inside out, starting from some impressive footwork or ball shielding by Mukhtar or Boyd. Those two picked out runs made by Shaffelburg on the left and Muyl on the right on several occasions, but with Boyd acting as the false 9 on Thursday and Mukhtar as the 10, there weren’t many options in the middle to receive the service from the wingers.
The match marked the first time Nashville SC scored multiple goals against an MLS opponent since October 14, 2023 in its 3-2 win over the New England Revolution.
Up Next
Nashville hosts LA Galaxy at home on Saturday in MLS play before traveling to Fort Lauderdale for the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup bout with Inter Miami FC.
Goals
4′ NSH – Jacob Shaffelburg
47′ NSH – Jacob Shaffelburg
52′ MIA – Lionel Messi
90+5′ MIA – Luis Suárez
