(NashvilleSC.com, 09.01.18)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Against a reeling opponent looking for its first win in eight weeks, Nashville SC couldn’t halt its road woes as it fell at Charlotte Independence 1-0 on Saturday night. Charlotte has now won just twice since June 2, both times beating Nashville SC on its home turf. For Nashville, the loss brings its road record to 2-6-6, as the expansion side has failed to win any of its last seven road games, scoring just two goals in those seven combined.

90 in a nutshell

Nashville looked poised to take a lead multiple times in the first half. First it was forward Tucker Hume who had an open diving header in front of the net, but his shot went high. Then Hume and midfielder Lebo Moloto combined to create two prime chances, but a keeper save off the prevented a Nashville score.

In the 25th minute off a corner created by an errant Nashville back pass, Charlotte struck with a Je-Vaughn Watson goal. Watson was near the top of the box and perfectly placed a ball into the bottom right corner that gave the Independence a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Nashville again had numerous chances but couldn’t find a conversion in what is becoming a trend for the club. In the 82nd minute, a lightning strike delayed the game for 30 minutes, but Nashville SC couldn’t use the break to its advantage as the club fell for the second time this season in Charlotte.

Quotable

Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith

“If you look at our team man-for-man, we are better than them. It has to be a mentality of each individual. I do not believe that they felt this was going to be an easy ride, because we started strong. When we concede, something happens. We have a group of players that can’t turn that deficit over and win a game. That’s something that we have to overcome somehow, someway.”

Key Stat

Seven road goals. Nashville has had trouble finding the back of the net in general this season, but on the road, the Achilles heel of Nashville has be exacerbated. SC has scored just seven goals on the road this year, and never more than one in any road match, being shutout in half of its road games.

Watching the East

Despite the loss, Nashville SC remained in playoff position in the eighth place in the East. Other results continue to give Nashville hope of a top-four spot as Louisville, Pittsburgh and Charleston also failed to win this weekend.

Up Next

Nashville will try to solve its road woes next Saturday when it takes on North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CST.