Match Recap: Nashville SC ride to 2-1 win over Toronto FC behind impressive DPs
For the second season in a row, a brace from DP striker Sam Surridge lifted Nashville SC to a road victory over Toronto FC. With other results around the league, this moves the Boys in Gold to third in the Eastern Conference.
Let’s dive in.
Lineup
Yet again, head coach B.J. Callaghan has stuck behind the lineup that has lifted his side to an eight game unbeaten streak. Joe Willis stayed in goal behind a back four of Dan Lovitz, Jeisson Palacios, Jack Maher and Andy Najar.
The midfield pair of Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek supported a front four of Alex Muyl, Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, and Jacob Shaffelburg.
Off the bench, Bryan Acosta, Jonathan Pérez, Ahmed Qasem and captain Walker Zimmerman saw action. This was Zimmerman’s first appearance since suffering a concussion on April 3rd.
The Numbers
Nashville SC
Shots: 15
Shots on goal: 6
Corners: 6
Possession: 49.2%
xG: 2.5
Yellow Cards: None
Toronto FC
Shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Corners: 3
Possession: 50.8%
xG: 0.8
Yellow Cards: 2 (Federico Bernardeschi, Kosi Thompson)
Between the Whistles
The real action in this one starts in the second half, but there was a few moments in the first half to signal something could be coming.
Big chances were missed by Nashville early, such as in the 8th minute when Sam Surridge’s cross/shot was neither on frame nor close enough to the head of Alex Muyl to make a difference.
Then in the 37th, Hany Mukhtar laid off to Jacob Shaffelburg with a clear attempt at goal, and no one between him and the net save for goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Shaffelburg launched his effort, though scuffed it wide and high of the frame of goal.
Out of the break, things continued as a long range Mukhtar effort was saved by Johnson. Then, Toronto had their first real crack at goal as Ola Brynhildsen’s saucy bicycle kick attempt was on target, though saved by Nashville’s Joe Willis.
Then in the 57th, Nashville found a breakthrough. A brilliant long ball by Andy Najar was sent across goal first time by Mukhtar, and finished first time by Surridge.
This awoke the Toronto attack, though they would fail to trouble Willis too much, with even their best efforts, such as Tyrese Spicer’s laser in the 83rd, were wide of goal.
Nashville, meanwhile, was continuing to force impressive saves out of Johnson, and in the 89th minute, Nashville found the sealer. Jonathan Pérez turned and dribbled right through the heart of the Toronto defense, before passing to Surridge to rifle home Nashville’s second.
A truly remarkable goal from Jonathan Osorio in the 91st minute would provide the hosts only a consolation, as Nashville grab three more points, and move up the table again.
Analysis
This was a very good win for Nashville on the road, something they’d only done one time prior to this in the league this year. It was also incredibly heartwarming to see Walker Zimmerman return to the field in this one, and his presence should only improve a stingy Nashville defense.
However, this is a game I’d have liked to see Ahmed Qasem start in a vacuum, though with Qasem pulling big minutes midweek, I understand the swap. Jacob Shaffelburg is a player that is very, very good at two or three things, and if those swords are dulled so to speak, he can become really ineffective, and this appeared to be one of those matchups.
I actually thought both winger subs, Qasem and Jonathan Pérez, played excellent, and of course Pérez got the assist on Surridge’s second. Overall a really impressive week for Nashville in tough circumstances to pick up two wins on the road.
They’ve got one more busy week before we all get a chance to breathe, with a road trip to Columbus Crew on Wednesday, and a home date against New York City FC to round out the month of May for the Boys in Gold. See you then!