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Nashville SC blasts Moca FC to advance to CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16
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- Nashville SC blasts Moca FC to advance to CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16
Nashville SC didn't need to do much more than show up to Geodis Park on Wednesday night.
Consider it done.
In the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup series against Moca FC, Nashville not only protected its 3-0 lead on aggregate goals but added to it, clinching passage to the round of 16 with a 4-0 rout that was every bit as comprehensive as Thursday's first leg in the Dominican Republic. The 7-0 aggregate win is the largest in the competition since 2021.
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Forster Ajago scored two goals in his first game as a professional, while Jacob Shaffelburg had a goal and an assist. McKinze Gaines also scored for Nashville.
Next up in Nashville's quest for its first-ever trophy is Inter Miami and Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi . Nashville will host Miami on March 7, with the second leg set to be played in Florida on March 13.
Nashville doesn't let up, even with new-look lineup
Even with such an imposing advantage in the series, Nashville didn't take its foot off the gas pedal. It had over 70 percent possession, took 21 shots to Moca's two and placed 11 of them on goal. It earned nine corner kicks while Moca didn't take a single one.
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The fact that Wednesday's performance mirrored last Thursday's was especially striking considering Nashville's top three attackers — Hany Mukhtar , Sam Surridge and Tyler Boyd — didn't play. Mukhtar and Surridge are recovering from injuries they sustained in the first leg, while Boyd's absence was due to what Nashville coach Gary Smith said was a "knock" he took in Sunday's game against the New York Red Bulls .
Instead, Nashville started a handful of lesser-used players, including Gaines, goalkeeper Elliot Panicco , midfielder Brian Anunga and defender Josh Bauer . All were making their first starts of the season. Ajago and defender Brent Kallman were making their first appearances for Nashville.
Midfielder Amar Sejdic and defender Julian Gaines also appeared in their first games for Nashville, both coming off the bench. Julian Gaines is the younger brother of McKinze Gaines.
"We always knew and felt that there were guys in the group that were capable," Smith said. "There's been some nice additions in the offseason. I think those guys as well needed those minutes, and the circumstances evolved and were created in a decent fashion for some of the fellows to get a good 90 minutes under their belt."
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Forster Ajago has huge night in Nashville debut
Ajago didn't look the part of an undrafted rookie on Wednesday. He became the 10th player to score in his debut for Nashville, following Boyd's feat from a week earlier.
The striker from Duke impressed with his positioning, aerial play and first touch. Both of his goals were well earned, as he found himself all alone in the penalty box in the 38th minute to receive a cross from Shaffelburg, and easily put away the rebound on a long shot by Alex Muyl in the 53rd minute. Ajago nearly had a hat trick, but had a penalty kick saved in the 83rd minute.
Feb 28, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC forward Forster Ajago (21) handles the ball in the box during the first half against Moca FC at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Ajago, who was born in Ghana , is ineligible to appear in MLS regular-season games for now as Nashville does not have an available international roster slot. But Smith noted that "circumstances change," and after Wednesday, Nashville probably wouldn't mind if they did.
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"I think the lad has done an awful lot for himself tonight and put himself on the map," Smith said. "He's been brilliant for the group. I don't care what game you play in. If you're scoring and threatening the goal, there's something there, and it's something to be excited about."
MORE: Nashville SC hopes Walker Zimmerman, its 'Hercules' on defense, can stay healthy
Nashville to face Messi, Miami in round of 16
This will be the third time Nashville has faced Inter Miami since Messi signed with the team last summer. The first game was, of course, the Leagues Cup final in August which Miami won on penalties to give Messi his first trophy as an MLS player. The second was a scoreless draw in Fort Lauderdale less than two weeks later.
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"What I have learned is, he's very, very good," Smith said of Messi. "But there's some additions to that group that we haven't seen."
Smith said that getting the chance to face Inter Miami again was a "huge incentive" for Nashville. Not only did Miami win the Leagues Cup, but the Herons also eliminated Nashville from the U.S. Open Cup last May with a 2-1 win in the round of 16.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CONCACAF Champions Cup: Nashville SC routs Moca to advance
