(NashvilleSC.com, 10.20.18)

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Nashville SC was equal to the best team in USL history, FC Cincinnati, for 120 minutes in Cincinnati on Saturday night, but fell in penalty kicks in a gut-wrenching loss in the opening round of the USL Cup Playoffs

120 in a nutshell

With everything on the line, FC Cincinnati came out of the gate with an immediate offensive mindset. In the 10th minute, Cincy earned the first corner kick of the match before forcing Nashville keeper Matt Pickens to make a key swat in the 17th minute to stop a potential Cincinnati break-away situation.

After settling in, Nashville’s best opportunity in the first half came in the 24th minute on a free kick from 30 yards out. After the initial header, Ropapa Mensah put what was the first shot on frame for either side. His header forced the Cincinnati keeper to make a save to keep SC off the board. Mensah continued to give Cincinnati’s back line issues in the first half, putting another shot on frame in the 40th minute, forcing another save by FCC keeper Spencer Richey.

After the halftime break, Nashville came out itching to score the first goal of the evening. In the 48th minute, Winn nearly netted the go-ahead goal after taking a shot from point-blank range just in front of the goal, but the Cincinnati keeper made and impressive save to keep things scoreless.

Mensah continued to be an offensive threat throughout the second half, putting dangerous shots toward Cincinnati’s goal. He nearly bent in a shot from outside the 18 in the 74th minute that hit the crossbar before firing another shot in the 80th minute that forced Cincy’s fourth save of the night. Neither team was able to find a game-winning goal in the final 10 minutes of regulation, sending the sides into extra time.

Five minutes into extra time, Cincinnati broke the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. After possession the ball in the FC Cincy attacking third, Kenney Walker played a ball to Corben Bone in space who struck the ball into the back of the Nashville net.

Nashville kept its poise and found the equalizer in the 114th minute. After a free kick deflected to set up a Nashville corner, Bradley Bourgeois struck the ball beautifully and it deflected just over the Cincy keeper into the back of the net.

Brandon Allen nearly put the game away in the 117th minute but another great save kept the game tied. Unfortunately, 120 minutes wasn’t enough to decided it and the game went to PKs.

Both teams had all five PK takers score, but SC’s sixth of the night, Justin Davis, missed the net. Cincinnati’s Kenney Walker then scored to advance Cincinnati to the next round.

Quotable

Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith

“They still have not beaten us in regular time. This is a tremendous feat given what they have at their disposal. To go down in extra time and equalize is phenomenal.”

Up Next

Nashville’s season comes to an end and the team will move into its first offseason.