Story by
Nashville SC survives Columbus Crew pressure in 2-2 tie, extends unbeaten streak to 9 games
- Story by
- Nashville SC survives Columbus Crew pressure in 2-2 tie, extends unbeaten streak to 9 games
Nashville SC knew what it was in for going on the road to face the Columbus Crew.
The Crew, the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup champions, have been one of the best teams in MLS under coach Wilfried Nancy. During his pregame news conference, Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan struggled to list the myriad ways Columbus can exploit a less-prepared opponent.
Advertisement
Nashville (8-4-4, 28 points) saw all of them at Lower.com Field on May 28 in Columbus, and yet, somehow, escaped with a 2-2 tie. Columbus (7-2-7, 28 points) had 62% of possession and outshot Nashville 21-13, but goals from Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar allowed the Boys in Gold to extend their unbeaten streak to seven MLS games, and nine games across all competitions.
"Tough game in general," Mukhtar said. "Credit to the group, we fought. I think it shows the mentality of this group. If we're not on top of a team, we still fight, and it's very difficult to break us down."
Nashville returns to Geodis Park to host New York City FC on May 31 (3:30 p.m. CT, Apple TV).
Nashville starts strong with Sam Surridge goal
One game after scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Toronto FC , Surridge was back on the score sheet. The striker didn't need much time, poking home a cross from Patrick Yazbek just 80 seconds after kickoff.
Advertisement
Mukhtar thought Nashville did well to handle Columbus' pressure for the first few minutes of the game, but knew the Crew didn't need much to get rolling.
"We were all over them, but of course, we knew it would be a tough game," he said. "If you're up against them 1-0, you already know they're trying to overload sides, they're trying to drag you out and create space behind you."
Nashville fends off pressure, creates in transition
Columbus spent most of the game in Nashville's half of the field, producing a slew of half-chances. Wing back Max Arfsten got a couple of solid looks at goal in the first half, and Daniel Gazdag headed a shot wide just before halftime. The Crew played a high defensive line, bringing their defenders forward in order to keep up their pressure.
Advertisement
"You can see how many numbers they were throwing forward and challenged us to move deep," Callaghan said. " . . . I think there was moments that we were able to handle that well, and I think we also had some moments where we were either impatient with a pass or we gave a careless turnover."
While Nashville has played a more possession-oriented style under Callaghan, it mostly tried to catch Columbus on the counterattack, which was a staple of its approach under former coach Gary Smith. This yielded a few strong opportunities: Jonathan Perez hit the post on a shot in the 40th minute, and Surridge had a second goal denied in the 62nd minute when Nicholas Hagen made a diving stop.
"We said before the game, if they give us a high line, just play (the ball) behind," Mukhtar said.
MORE: Nashville SC to host D.C. United in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on July 9
Advertisement
Late flurry of goals
The Crew finally broke through in the 69th minute when Diego Rossi scored off a rebound. But Nashville came back to take a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute when Surridge took a quick throw-in to Jacob Shaffelburg , who drew Hagen out of position before passing to a wide-open Mukhtar in front of goal.
Just three minutes later, Columbus tied the game on an own goal by Jeisson Palacios, as Malte Amundsen 's low-driven cross deflected off the Nashville center back's foot and into the net.
"I was really proud of the big chances we were able to create tonight," Callaghan said. "We didn't finish them great, but there was opportunities for more goals on our end. I was proud of the group the way they pushed and found opportunities and showed how adaptable they can be."
Advertisement
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC ties Columbus Crew, extends unbeaten streak to 9 games
