(NashvilleSC.com, 08.18.18)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A hard-fought, defensive performance was enough for Nashville SC to earn a big 0-0 result on the road at Louisville City FC on Saturday night at Slugger Field. Nashville became the first team to take a point on the road in the budding rivalry, and in the process, stayed just five points back from the top four in the USL Eastern Conference.

90 in a nutshell

Gary Smith and Nashville SC came in with a game plan to grind out a result, and the boys in gold did just that. They made Louisville City work for every inch of space in both halves, frustrating the potent Louisville attack. A team that scored six just a week ago, was held to a few quality chances.

Nashville forward Tucker Hume again got the start and generated a couple of good looks during his 75 minutes of action. His shot just outside the six-yard box in the 64th minute may have been Nashville’s best look on goal, but Louisville keeper Greg Ranjitsingh did well to keep it out.

Super sub Ropapa Mensah forced Ranjitsingh into action again in the 81st minute with a tough-angled shot that was saved. Nashville SC saw out the final 10 minutes of action to lock down a well-earned point. The shutout was keeper Matt Pickens’ 11th clean sheet of the season, tied for the most in USL.

Quotable

Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith

“It’s a great result tonight. That kind of result tonight is something that galvanizes spirit more than anything else. The point is important, but the point, in the end, is irrelevant to the amount of togetherness and belief that it builds. It was a hard-working display and a tough point that we just earned.”

Key Stat

Eight blocked shots. The defense did work all night on one of the top attacks in the league. Leading scorer Cameron Lancaster, who has bagged 13 this season, was held to just one shot on target. The main reason was the defensive positioning. The D helped their star keeper out, getting to most of the balls before they even reached the goalmouth. 

Standings Update

The point dropped Nashville to ninth in the Eastern Conference, but Nashville remains just five points out of the top four in the East and one point out of fifth. With a favorable schedule the rest of the season, and two home games next week, Nashville will have plenty of chances to continue to climb the standings.

Up Next

Nashville will have a Saturday/Tuesday double dip at First Tennessee Park on August 25 and 28 against Bethlehem Steel FC and Richmond Kickers. Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.