(NashvilleSC.com, 07.11.18)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nashville SC owned the ball, but not the goals as the club fell 1-0 to Charlotte Independence at Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, N.C.

Nashville conceded the lone goal of the match late in the first half on a rebound from a set piece. It was only the fourth time all season that Nashville conceded first. The club pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but could not pepper Charlotte net.

90 in a nutshell

Nashville couldn’t find much space in the attacking half in the first half, struggling to get shots towards goals. After opening the match on the attack, Nashville SC fell back to a defensive position as Charlotte got to work. In the 43rd minute, Charlotte laced in a free kick that was saved by Matt Pickens, but Kevan George was there to bury the rebound to put the Independence up 1-0 going into halftime.

The road side picked up the pace in the second half with fresh legs in Ropapa Mensah and Alan Winn coming onto the field. Nashville started to put on the pressure and had multiple chances off of set pieces. Taylor Washington had a good look at goal but could not get it past the outstretched Charlotte defender. It looked as if Nashville had sent Michael Reed through on goal a few minutes later, but the play was blown dead on an offside call. Nashville was getting some chances after the 80th minute and forced Charlotte keeper Andrew Dykstra to make a diving stop. Reed had a fantastic chance off a corner kick in stoppage time but Dykstra lunged to make the stop.

A red card to Charlotte’s Caleb Calvert later in stoppage time gave Nashville some life, but Nashville couldn’t convert on an ensuing corner kick.

Quotables

Nashville SC winger Alan Winn

“The will was a little off today. Things weren’t clicking early. We didn’t play up to the Nashville standard that we have set this season.”

Key Stat

59.5% possession. Despite not scoring, Nashville SC owned the ball for most of the match. The club was able to pressure for much of the second half in particular but could not find the back of the net.

Standings Update

Charleston Battery gave Nashville a little bit of standings relief with its 2-1 win over Indy Eleven. Nashville SC drops just one spot to sixth place in the USL Eastern Conference with Charlotte, and they are also tied in points with 27.

Up Next

Nashville will take the field again in 10 days when the club travels north of the border to take on Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, July 21.