(NashvilleSC.com, 09.22.18)

NASHVILLE — Nashville SC earned its first-ever draw at First Tennessee Park against the Charleston Battery Saturday night. The 1-1 final score marked the eighth time Nashville SC has racked up points against one of the conference’s top four teams this season.

Despite constant rainfall, Nashville managed to maintain 63 percent of possession and connect 397 passes, 148 more than Charleston.

The team will now turn its attention to Wednesday’s road test against Atlanta United 2 with a USL Eastern Conference playoff spot within reach.

90 in a nutshell

The team came out with urgency, knowing that a positive result was crucial tonight with a month remaining in the regular season. Nashville forward Tucker Hume stunned the visitors early with a 9th minute bicycle kick from just outside the six-yard box. His shot, which was difficult to manage thanks to the rainy conditions, slipped by Charleston’s goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper to give Nashville the 1-0 advantage.

Charleston answered in the 24th minute when a failed clearance by goalkeeper Matt Pickens found its way back into the net after ricocheting off Charleston’s Tah Anunga.

With a tied score and slick field, tensions began to rise, leading to several scrums and an eventual red card for Charleston’s Patrick Okonkwo in the 60th minute. Nashville played with a man up for the remaining 30 minutes; however, the team was unable to find the go-ahead goal and ended the night splitting points with Charleston.

Quotables

Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith

“I’m not sure I could have gotten many more attackers on the field to try and get the job done. However, the condition in the end I think were instrumental in maybe some of the combination play and the ability to really work the team over and stretch them out because there was nothing to be had on the left end side of the field. All in all, sorry, disappointed of course, but given the results, keeps destiny in our own hands, and with a game Wednesday, we’d like to take advantage of that and put ourselves back in a very good spot.

Key Stat

Three is the Magic Number. Tucker Hume has scored three goals in Nashville’s last three home games. After tonight’s tally, he’s now the team’s third-highest goalscorer with six goals on the season.

Eastern Conference Update

With tonight’s draw, Nashville SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are now tied with 40 points in the USL Eastern Conference standings. However, Nashville sits below the Rowdies in the 11th spot, but with a game in hand. Just one point stands between Nashville SC and Ottawa Fury FC, who’s occupying the eighth playoff spot at the moment.

Up Next

Nashville SC travels for a midweek matchup against Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga.