(NashvilleSC.com, 10.03.20)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Nashville SC (4W-5L-5D, 17 pts.) earned a scoreless draw on the road at New England Revolution (5W-3L-7D, 22 pts.) on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The result came from the hand of goalkeeper Joe Willis who earned his sixth clean sheet, setting a new career high with only 14 matches played.

Despite missing five attackers due to injury, the Boys in Gold grinded out a massive point in the Eastern Conference standings in Head Coach Gary Smith’s 300th career match as a manager. With the draw, Nashville captured its 17th point of the season to remain above the playoff line and level on points with Atlanta United and Montreal Impact in the Eastern Conference, with a game in hand.

Joe Willis sets single-season career high for shutouts
Joe Willis kept his sixth clean sheet of the season, beating his previous Major League Soccer single-season career high with Houston Dynamo in 2016. The experienced ‘keeper made five saves in the match, his most impressive coming against attacking midfielder Tajon Buchanan, who had a shot from just outside the six-yard box in the 64th minute. Willis rose to the challenge whenever he was called upon during the match.

Tactical shift
Without any true forwards available for the match, Head Coach Gary Smith adjusted from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a slightly more defensive 4-3-3 system. Smith moved both Tah Brian Anunga and Matt LaGrassa, who made his first MLS start tonight, into midfield. The extra body in the center of the park paid dividends defensively as Derrick Jones, Hany Mukhtar and Randall Leal rotated in the attack.

Defensive solidity
In addition to Willis’ steadiness between the sticks, the backline played a solid match en route to the clean sheet. The NSC back four made 25 clearances and won 13 tackles compared to New England’s 17 clearances and nine tackles.