Match Recap: Nashville SC cut open in first half, lose 2-0 to New York Red Bulls

(Image courtesy of Nashville SC)

Nashville SC’s winless streak against the New York Red Bulls extends to seven games. On a cold night in Harrison, New Jersey, the New York Red Bulls blitzed to an early first half lead of 2-0 over Nashville SC, a lead they would not relent.

The scoring was opened after just seven minuteswith a rebound by 20 year-old Ghanaian forward Mohammed Sofo, who made his first start after a slight injury to Lewis Morgan late in the week forced him out of the lineup.

Then, in the 30th minute, a world class curling shot from a world class player in Emil Forsberg put the hosts up 2-0. Nashville would have chances, and the majority of the ball, but as is so often the case with the Red Bulls, pressing and transition play won the game. Let’s dive in.

Lineup

(Image courtesy of Nashville SC)

The starting lineup remained unchanged from the Boys in Gold’s opening day 0-0 draw against New England Revolution. Once again, a functional front four of Sam Surridge, Alex Muyl, Eddi Tagseth and Hany Mukhtar led the line. In midfield, head coach BJ Callaghan stuck with the young duo of Matthew Corcoran and Wyatt Meyer. Of course to round out the 11, Nashville fielded a backline of Andy Najar, Walker Zimmerman, Jack Maher and Dan Lovitz with the ever present Joe Willis in goal.

The only change made to the squad overall was a healthy Patrick Yazbek replacing Ethan O’Brien on the bench.

The Numbers

Nashville SC

Shots- 12

Shots on target- 1

Possession- 54.4%

Corners- 5

xG- 1.6

Yellow Cards- 2 (Patrick Yazbek, Walker Zimmerman)

New York Red Bulls

Shots- 11

Shots on target- 5

Possession- 45.6%

Corners- 1

xG- 2.7

Yellow Cards- 3 (Omar Valencia, Noah Eile, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting)

Between The Whistles

I’ll skip out on all the fluff. For the first hour of the game, Nashville really struggled with the pressing intensity of the Red Bulls. Completely ignoring the two goals for now, just look at possession statistics. The Red Bulls went into the halftime break with the majority of the ball. They were constantly intercepting Nashville passes and dispossessing their players in their own half.

I also think it was completely the right call for BJ Callaghan to stick with his philosophy and have Nashville continue to try building through possession rather than going to any other tactics. It’s match day two. The players need reps against this kind of opposition if they’re going to improve within the system.

This is especially true of Matthew Corcoran and Wyatt Meyer, who perhaps struggled most with the intense pace of play New York was putting the game into. They’re both young, and injuries have forced them to be tried by fire so to speak. Struggles like this are expected when starting young players, but they’re also necessary to foster growth.

Really, this thought process was supported most in the 58th minute. At that point, the midfield duo of Corcoran and Meyer both came off for Patrick Yazbek and Ahmed Qasem. This sent Eddi Tagseth into the midfield, where perhaps he’s more comfortable.

It also allowed Ahmed Qasem to really shine. Nashville didn’t get a goal, and they didn’t get a result, but we may have a star just beginning to emerge here folks. Qasem’s technical ability is incredible for his age, and he backs it up with equivalent athleticism.

Last weekend I called it a surprise for Qasem to have made his debut just days after arriving in the country. If I’d known what Callaghan and his staff knew, I wouldn’t have called it a surprise. Qasem is a true lightning rod for this attack.

The biggest plus he brought was the ability to connect with the midfield, enabling Hany Mukhtar to stay further forward more often than he had been. This wasn’t a particularly good game from Mukhtar or Sam Surridge, but it’s no coincidence each of their best moments in this game came after Qasem came on and Tagseth moved centrally.

Next up for the Boys in Gold is a home game on March 8th against the Portland Timbers, which marks the first time they’ve made the trip to the Music City since 2022.