Nashville SC Falls 2-1 To Inter Miami, Ending U.S. Open Cup Run

/in /by

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC’s streak of eight games without a loss has come to an end after falling 2-1 to Inter Miami on Tuesday night (May 23) in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16.

The loss also ended the team’s run in the Open Cup tournament. Despite some great offensive displays, Nashville couldn’t equalize after Miami scored the game-winner in the 73rd minute.

“Fabulous display tonight, away from home with 10 changes from the weekend,” said Head Coach Gary Smith. I thought these players that went out on the field tonight deserved their opportunity again and for the best part of an hour or more, I thought we were very much in the game. Bright recovery after going a goal down, and it was really there for us to go on and win with some senior players coming off the bench.”

Nashville SC came out strong when the game started, with Jacob Shaffelburg showing off his speed. Randal Leal, who recently recovered from an injury, had some stellar moments including a wicked shot that hit the post late in the first half.

The first goal of the game came off a great Miami transition where Robert Taylor made a pass in the box to Franco Negri, who chipped the ball to make it 1-0 Miami in the 57th minute.

In the 65th minute, Smith made some big substitutions replacing Jack Maher for Dan Lovitz, Luke Haakenson for Alex Muyl and Ethan Zubak for Hany Mukhtar.

Less than a minute into the substitutions, Muyl scored a fantastic header off of a Lawrence Wyke cross to tie the game 1-1 in the 66th minute.

Sadly just minutes after the equalizer, the game was delayed for 33 minutes due to weather conditions. When the game started back up, Miami was able to jump on Nashville immediately when Nicolás Stefanelli found the back of the net from just outside the box in the 73rd minute to take the lead and eventual win.

Despite efforts from Mukhtar, Muyl and Fafa Picault, Nashville couldn’t capitalize on the chances they created.

“The goal straight after the weather delay was down to a lapse of focus or concentration that can sometimes happen, but it’s been the difference between the two teams tonight,” continued Smith. “A huge amount to come out of this for what we would class as ‘fringe’ players. Some really good performances [and] all and all, the guys gave a terrific account for themselves as I’ve said. I do think that even though we’ve come out here having been beaten, there will be enough pride in the way that we’ve played and enough for us to take out of this game and certainly take into Sunday’s game.”

Nashville is now back to focusing on just MLS play as they host the Columbus Crew on this Sunday (May 28) at GEODIS Park. The Boys in Gold currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points.

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)