Nashville SC didn’t put on the type of attacking show their fans have become accustomed to in 2021, but their defense was on full display on the road in a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake.

Head coach Gary Smith continued with the 4-4-2 formation, making no changes to last week’s eleven. Dom Badji and CJ Sapong continued their partnership up front, while Hany Mukhtar and Handwalla Bwana returned from injury to appear on the bench.
Nashville started brightly, but as the match grew on they struggled to connect passes, with the frontline disconnected for large stretches of the match.
While the attack struggled to create high value chances, the strength of the backline was on full display. The Boys In Gold limited the Claret and Cobalt to no shots on target, keeping their third consecutive clean sheet. They’ll return to Nashville to take on expansion side Austin FC on Sunday night.
Three things
1. Third straight clean sheet. After conceding four goals in their first two matches, Nashville have kept their goal in tact for three straight matches. Not just that, but they didn’t allow a shot on target. It’s a welcome return to form for the strength of Nashville’s team, and one that, paired with an improved attack, could see better results for Nashville going forward.
2. Struggles in possession. Nashville struggled to connect passes from back to front in ways we haven’t seen yet this season. While they generated chances, it was much more choppy and sporadic than their opening matches. But…
3. Solid point on the road. While it wasn’t pretty, getting a point in Salt Lake is a good result. RSL has been in good form, and it’s the longest road trip Nashville will face this year. Staying undefeated and returning home to take on an Austin FC side that’s struggling isn’t a bad spot in which to be.
Stats
Shots: RSL 12 – 12 NSH
Shots on goal: RSL 0 – 3 NSH
Expected goals: RSL 0.84 – 0.65 NSH
Goals: RSL 0 – 0 NSH
Possession: RSL 56% – 44% NSH
Fouls: RSL 6 – 10 NSH
Yellow cards: RSL 1 – 1 NSH
Red cards: RSL 0 – 0 NSH
Highlights

