Match Recap: Nashville SC defeat Chattanooga Red Wolves 1-0, advance to Round of 16 in Open Cup

Image Credit: Nashville SC

On a beautiful Tuesday evening in the Music City, Nashville SC met their cross-state rivals of Chattanooga Red Wolves for the very first time in the Round of 32 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Nashville cruised to a 1-0 win, let’s get into the game.

Nashville Lineup

Image Credit: Nashville SC

Exactly as predicted in our preview, Nashville went heavy on the rotation. It was a first start for Brian Schwake in goal, as it was for 17-year old centerback Chris Applewhite ahead of him. Joining Applewhite at the back was Taylor Washington, Josh Bauer and Wyatt Meyer.

In midfield, it was a trio of Gastón Brugman, Bryan Acosta and Matthew Corcoran. The front three consisted of Teal Bunbury, Jonathan Pérez and Ahmed Qasem.

Off the bench, Jack Maher came in for the injured Washington, and cameos were also given to Patrick Yazbek and Alex Muyl.

The Numbers

Nashville SC

Shots: 15

Shots on Target: 3

Possession: 73%

Corners: 3

Yellow Cards: 1 (Acosta)

Chattanooga Red Wolves

Shots: 3

Shots on Target: 3

Possession: 27%

Corners: 1

Yellow Cards: 4 (Reis, Alhassan, Bentley, Knapp)

Red Cards: 1 (Alhassan)

Between the Whistles

I wish there was more to put here, but there isn’t. Nashville, in trademark fashion, started quick. In the 7th minute, Teal Bunbury hit the post and then lifted the rebound over the bar, and it was a harbinger of things to come.

11 minutes later in the 18th, Jonathan Pérez dribbled into the box, tripped, and the ball squirted free, back to Josh Bauer who leathered the ball to the far post and in for his third goal of the season.

The visitors thought they’d equalized in the 31st minute, only for an offside flag to negate the Red Wolves’ goal. Truthfully, that was about it. Nashville came close to scoring a couple more times throughout the game, and Chattanooga’s Alhassan received two yellows after being subbed on, but other than that there’s not much to report.

Nashville dominated this one, though the scoreline doesn’t reflect that.

Analysis

As mentioned, the score shows 1-0, but the stats show a much more thorough victory. You expect a fully rotated team to see a drop in finishing quality, and Nashville is already a team that hasn’t been great at finishing to begin with.

The more important part of this game for the Boys in Gold was that they escaped mostly healthy. Left back Taylor Washington went off with a knee injury, and re-appeared unable to bend said knee, though walking around and smiling, which is probably a good sign.

Wyatt Meyer shifted into that spot after Washington’s injury, so I’d expect he’s the “replacement” in the matchday squad moving forward.

Next up for Nashville is a home date with Charlotte FC on Saturday, while the Red Wolves also have a home fixture against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday as well.