Nashville SC draws Memphis 901 FC in final preseason game before CONCACAF Champions Cup

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Nashville SC draws Memphis 901 FC in final preseason game before CONCACAF Champions Cup

Jacob Shames, Nashville Tennessean · The Tennessean

Thu, Feb 15, 2024 ·

2 min read

Nashville creates plenty of chances, struggles to finish them

Birmingham Legion FC forward Enzo Martinez (19) kicks the ball away from Nashville SC forward Jacob Shaffelburg (14) during the first half of an MLS preseason soccer match Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville coach Gary Smith thought the game against Memphis, a USL Championship club, could replicate the type of match that the Champions Cup opener at Moca might be. Smith said Nashville dominated the ball throughout the first half and chalked up the failure to score more than one goal to either poor choices or poor execution.

Jacob Shaffelburg and Tyler Boyd had four near-misses during the first half, including a shot by Shaffelburg that deflected off the right post. Memphis' lone goal came against the run of play when Anibal Godoy was caught in possession on the edge of the penalty box.

"There were some wonderful moments," Smith said. " . . . Their goalkeeper made two or three really good saves throughout the game. I'm not too worried about the actual creation. Some good pressing, some very aggressive front-foot play without the ball."

Hany Mukhtar scores, plays entire game

After missing Nashville's first two preseason games while nursing a foot injury, 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar scored his first goal of 2024 around the 35th minute. Shaffelburg drew a penalty, and although Mukhtar's spot kick was saved, he managed to get to the rebound first and put it into the back of the net.

Mukhtar was the only outfield player to play all 90 minutes against Memphis.

"He wanted to play 90," Smith said. " . . . We might have been behind schedule a little bit, but he's made some terrific strides in the last few weeks. I think he himself would be very, very pleased with where he's at, not just physically but where he's at in terms of his sharpness and his quality on the field."

Walker Zimmerman and Dan Lovitz return

Through four games, Walker Zimmerman and Dan Lovitz had been the only two players not to appear for Nashville. That changed against Memphis. Both defenders subbed into the game late in the second half, putting them on track to play against Moca after being previously unfit to play.

Smith said both players are "ahead of schedule" as they round out their overall fitness. That may be especially true for Zimmerman, who played through an Achilles injury for much of 2023.

"It really was a case of trying to get them some final minutes in our last preseason game," Smith said.

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.