Nashville SC 1, North Carolina FC 0 (06.16.18)

June 16, 2018 — First Tennessee Park (Nashville, Tenn.)

Scoring Summary

NSC — Ropapa Mensah (Bradley Bourgeois) 90’+4

Discipline Summary

NSC – Yellow Card – Brandon Allen (16′)
NC – Yellow Card – Austin da Luz (37′)
NC – Yellow Card – Steven Miller (90’+4)

Lineups

Nashville

North Carolina

Matt Pickens Alex Tambakis
Kosuke Kimura D.J. Taylor
Justin Davis Aarón Guillén
Bradley Bourgeois Connor Tobin
Liam Doyle Michael Harrington
Bolu Akinyode Graham Smith
Matt LaGrassa (Alan Winn 79′) Steven Miller
Lebo Moloto Marcel Kandziora
Michael Reed Austin da Luz (Tiyi Shipalane 72′)
Ismaila Jome Marios Lomis (Ulrich Ewolo 87′)
Brandon Allen (Ropapa Mensah 68′) Daniel Rios (Kyle Bekker 72′)

Ropapa Mensah walks off North Carolina FC

(NashvilleSC.com, 06.16.18)

NASHVILLE — The Golden Boy outdid himself. Ropapa Mensah provided the most dramatic moment in club history, scoring a walk-off goal on the final kick of the game to send over 9,000 Nashville SC faithful into a frenzy and the team to another three points at home.

The incredible last minute victory extended Nashville’s perfect run at First Tennessee Park and its unbeaten streak in all competitions to 11 games.

90 in a nutshell

The opening half featured numerous chances for both sides with each coming close to scoring the first of the game. The teams combined for 17 first half shots, 10 for Nashville, as both keepers withstood a barrage.

Looking to stay perfect at home, Nashville dominated the second half, controlling the ball over 71% of the time and putting 11 more shots on net. Many chances went just wide or were tipped by North Carolina keeper Alex Tambakis.

The moment of glory came at the death, on the final kick of the game, as substitute Ropapa Mensah took a ball off the head of Bradley Bourgeois into the back of the net to win the game. It was Mensah’s fourth goal in USL play and fifth overall this season to lead the team.

Quotables

Nashville SC forward Ropapa Mensah

“I have scored a lot of goals, but this is the best goal of my life. Stepping up for my team feels so good.”

Stat of the Day

Two goals in stoppage time at First Tennessee Park. Mensah has had a flair for the dramatic at First Tennessee, scoring twice after the 90th minute in front of the home fans. He also scored the club’s first-ever goal in the preseason opening friendly against Atlanta United, also at First Tennessee Park.

Watching the East

With three more points, Nashville has moved up to fourth place in the East with 23 points, one point back from second place, Louisville City FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Nashville is four points clear of the playoff line between eighth and ninth place.

Up Next

Nashville will play in the midweek with a fifth round U.S. Open Cup tie at Louisville. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.