Match Recap: Nashville SC stifle Chicago Fire FC, win 2-0
After a nice bye to refresh minds and legs, Nashville SC got right back to work at Soldier Field on Saturday as they defeated the Chicago Fire 2-0. The win keeps Nashville in third in the East, chasing Cincinnati and Philadelphia ahead of them.
The scoring was opened in the 56th minute as Hany Mukhtar half-volleyed home an early ball in from Andy Najar. Then, in the 75th, it was Sam Surridge’s turn to receive a ball inside from Najar, with the Englishman showing off quick feet and finishing brilliantly to give his side a second goal, and eventually all three points.
Let’s dive in.
Lineup
Joe Willis started in goal as ever behind a back four of Josh Bauer, Jeisson Palacios, Jack Maher and Dan Lovitz.
The midfield pairing of Gastón Brugman and Eddi Tagseth provided support for a front four of Sam Surridge, Alex Muyl, Hany Mukhtar and Ahmed Qasem.
Off the bench, Patrick Yazbek, Jonathan Pérez, Andy Najar and Matthew Corcoran entered the fray to change the game.
The Numbers
Nashville SC
Shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Possession: 50.1%
Corners: 4
xG: 1.3
Yellow Cards: 5 (Jack Maher, Gastón Brugman, Jonathan Pérez, Eddi Tagseth, Joe Willis)
Chicago Fire FC
Shots: 16
Shots on goal: 8
Possession: 49.9%
Corners: 9
xG: 1.8
Yellow Cards: 2 (Sergio Oregel, Omar Gonzalez)
Analysis
Oh, what being the more clinical side will give you, huh? Three shots on target, and two of them go in the back of the net. Meanwhile, the Fire forced Joe Willis to stand on his head, for which he earned the distinction of being in the Team of the Matchday.
The sub that B.J. Callaghan made at half to replace Josh Bauer with Andy Najar could not have worked better. Najar had just played 172 minutes for Honduras the previous week, so it makes perfect sense he didn’t start, but him coming on totally changed the game, and it’s written right there in his two assists.
Ditto the change to put on Jonathan Pérez in for Ahmed Qasem, just gave Nashville a different dimension. Pérez and Qasem have both had their runs of form, but right now Pérez appears to be the hotter hand of the two. Some of that is simply due to Qasem still adjusting to life in the States, he did get here less than six months ago after all, but Pérez has run with just about every chance he’s been given over the past five or so games.
Overall an excellent win, and it keeps the chasing pack behind Nashville at arm’s length for now. Next up for Nashville is another road trip to New England on June 25th, we’ll see you then!