WASHINGTON, DC – It wasn’t pretty in any way, shape or form, but Nashville SC continued their six match unbeaten streak against DC United. Alex Muyl’s second goal in consecutive games earned a point, and in many ways it was a microcosm of the match for Nashville.
The XI
Gary Smith made one change to the side that beat Chicago Fire last weekend, giving Jacob Shaffelburg the start ahead of Fafà Picault.
Instead of their usual 4-1-2-1-2 formation, Smith opted for a hybrid system, playing in a five-man backline out of possession and morphing to a 4-4-2 with the ball.
On the pitch
It wasn’t a pretty game for either side. Without much to note in the first half, other than a thunderbolt from DC midfielder Chris Durkin off Joe Willis’s crossbar, the match was open and without many chances.
Nashville’s best chance came in the lead up to their goal. A cross from substitute Fafà Picault found Hany Mukhtar unmarked in the box, but at a difficult height. The MVP hit a decent volley towards goal and forced a save from Tyler Miller. Nashville got the rebound and eventually cycled it back into the box, where DC defender Donovan Pines smashed an attempted clearance off the chest of Alex Muyl and into the net.
Nashville looked set to leave the capitol with a huge three points, but a pair of DC substitutes had other ideas. Kristian Fletcher somehow got behind Shaq Moore and drove into the box, freezing Lukas MacNaughton before picking out Ted Ku-DiPietro in stride to finish from close range and salvage a point.
The big picture
Not a whole lot to take from this match tactically, but Nashville are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions. The draw keeps them in third place in the Eastern Conference, with a midweek match against Inter Miami at Geodis Park on the books for Wednesday.
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