(NashvilleSC.com, 05.06.18)

HARRISON, N.J. — Nashville SC took to offense to one of the best offensive teams in the USL, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the final game of a three-game stretch away from home at New York Red Bulls II. The visitors peppered the net throughout the second half, but were unlucky not to find a winner on the road.

90 in a nutshell

A frenetic first 45 minutes saw Nashville SC score and concede. Nashville’s leading scorer Ropapa Mensah scored in the seventh minute after picking the pocket of a NYRBII defender and slotting it in for the third goal of the season. Less than 20 minutes later, Red Bulls II equalized after a through ball found the foot of Vincent Bezecourt, who beat Matt Pickens.

The second half was all Nashville SC as the team generated nine shots, with three of them on net. Nashville’s best chance of the half came form Lebo Moloto who, after taking a cross from Taylor Washington, hit the near post. With the draw, Nashville SC is the first road team to take points from New York this season.

Quotables

Nashville SC winger Taylor Washington

“Every week we grow and every week we get better. We had a few opportunities today. We will go over the video and come back into training and go to work. It’s good to take a point away from Red Bull Arena, and we are ready to come back and play in front of our fans against Louisville.”

Key Stat

Ropapa Mensah – 3 goals. Mensah was brought to Nashville to be a young, goal-scoring threat after scoring seven in USL last year for Harrisburg. The Ghanaian has delivered already with three goals in seven games in 2018.

Standings Update

The draw gives Nashville nine points in seven games and five on the road. That is enough to move Nashville into eighth place in the Eastern Conference, the final playoff position.

Next Up

Nashville will get back to a normal schedule this week as the team will prepare for a second meeting with defending USL Cup champions Louisville City FC on Sunday, May 13 at 5 p.m. at First Tennessee Park.