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Nashville SC fights back to tie Atlanta United 1-1 on the road entering hectic May schedule
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- Nashville SC fights back to tie Atlanta United 1-1 on the road entering hectic May schedule
You can't score seven goals every game. Sometimes, one well-timed strike will do the trick.
Nashville SC tied Atlanta United 1-1 on May 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Daniel Lovitz scored in the 66th minute as Nashville (5-4-2, 17 points) rebounded from a 20th-minute goal by Miguel Almiron to earn the draw.
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Nashville was coming off a record-setting win over the Chicago Fire . The Boys in Gold ran past the Fire 7-2 on April 26, scoring their most goals in a game in club history.
"We didn't come out as sharp as we did in the Chicago game," Lovitz said. "I think that was a product of (Atlanta) at home looking for something, trying to be on the front foot . . . As the game wore on, I think we did a really good job of showing what we could do in attack and create some issues."
Nashville's next game is at home on May 6 against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the U.S. Open Cup round of 32. It will return to MLS play when it hosts Charlotte FC at Geodis Park on May 10.
Nashville controls game after giving up early goal
After a strong start capped off by Almiron's goal, Atlanta (2-5-4, 10 points), which came in on a three-game losing streak, seemed content to drop deep on defense and protect its narrow lead.
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This let Nashville have a large advantage in possession; it controlled the ball 60% of the game. It outshot Atlanta 12-6 and finished with five shots on goal to the Five Stripes' two.
Lovitz said Nashville was slightly disappointed to not come away with a second goal, especially considering their second-half momentum, but was still happy with the team's resolve.
"At halftime, we were able to make a few adjustments and get guys into spaces deeper in the block," Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said. "That paid dividends and started to get us a little more access through the penalty box and pour numbers inside the penalty box. In addition, we had real great center backs like Jack ( Maher ) and Jeisson (Palacios) stepping all the way up, which isn't easy when you (have Atlanta striker Emmanuel Latte Lath and Almiron) and players like this."
Daniel Lovitz continues hot start
Lovitz had never scored more than one goal in a season before 2025. Through 11 games, the 33-year-old, who is in his 12th MLS season, has two goals and three assists, which equals his single-season high in goal contributions and puts him in first place among MLS defenders.
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Callaghan said Lovitz recently asked to be in the penalty box on set pieces instead of taking them, a move that has paid off. Both of the left back's goals have come off corner kicks. Against Atlanta, he volleyed a line delivery by Hany Mukhtar past Brad Guzan to tie the game.
"Having different personnel on the field, having a role that I've been asked to execute, I think maybe I've found something there with skills that I've had or just being in the right place," Lovitz said.
MORE: Nashville SC creates new position for GM Mike Jacobs, extends contract through 2028
MORE: Nashville SC to host Chattanooga Red Wolves in U.S. Open Cup round of 32 on May 6
May 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz (2) kicks the ball past Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobzhanidze (9) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Nashville readying for jam-packed May
Nashville has settled into a rhythm with its schedule, with 11 games in as many weeks. That's about to change.
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Atlanta was the first of seven MLS games NSC is slated to play in May. If it defeats the Red Wolves and advances in the Open Cup, it could end up playing nine games in a 22-day span, with no more than four days between games.
"We all had May circled as a really challenging time," Lovitz said. " . . . It's a full-team, group-roster effort to make sure that we can keep the level and standard high. More importantly, just the progression of results here — I know we're process-based, but to be able to get a tie here away is somewhat positive and validating."
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: MLS: Nashville SC ties Atlanta United 1-1 tie
