NASHVILLE, TN – For the first time in club history, Nashville SC will play in a final. The Coyotes toppled Mexican gigantes CF Monterrey, winning 2-0 in front of 27,732 fans at Geodis Park and reaching the final of the Leagues Cup.
The XI
Gary Smith made just one change to the team that rolled Minnesota 5-0, bringing in AnÃbal Godoy in place of Brian Anunga.
Elliot Panicco maintained his place in goal after Joe Willis missed the last match, and the gamble paid off for Smith.
On the pitch
Against the most talented side in North America, Nashville were fearless.
The ‘Yotes attacked Rayados from the start, and should have taken a 1-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. Hany Mukhtar struck an unstoppable curling shot just inside the far post, leaving goalkeeper Esteban Andrada completely helpless.
Astoundingly, after consulting video review, Walter López Castellanos decided to disallow the goal, somehow deeming Alex Muyl to be interfering with the goalkeeper from an offside position. It was an objectively poor call.
It was the type of call that so often can come back to haunt a team, but it wasn’t the case for Nashville. After finding themselves on the other side of a penalty call, with Lukas MacNaughton somewhat lucky not to concede a spot kick in the second half, the ‘Yotes took over.
Sam Surridge scored for the third consecutive game, with his 66th minute strike proving to be the winner. Walker Zimmerman’s header fell to Mukhtar’s feet in the attacking half, and the reigning MLS MVP turned and drew the defense towards him before playing Surridge in on goal. The Englishman made no mistake.
As Rayados pushed for an equalizer late, Nashville iced it. Fafà Picault opted not to take the ball to the corner flag, nor did he pass it to a wide open Surridge. Instead, he took it himself from a tight angle, roofing the ball into the net with a Mukhtar-esque finish to secure a historic result for Nashville.
The big picture
It’s hard to emphasize enough what a monumental win this is for Nashville. Monterrey are a juggernaut, the deepest and most talented side in North America and one of the elite three sides in Mexico. With just one loss in their last 13 matches, they’d left a trail of MLS clubs in their wake en route to the semifinals.
Nashville didn’t just survive against Rayados. They were the better side over 90 minutes. Smith’s side stuck stubbornly to their tactical identity, putting in the best defensive showing of their four-year history and wasting nothing in the final third.
It was a truly elite showing from Nashville. Now, they’ll play for a trophy for the first time ever, taking on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday night.
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