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Depleted Nashville SC draws New York Red Bulls in MLS season opener
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- Depleted Nashville SC draws New York Red Bulls in MLS season opener
In January, a day before Nashville SC began its preseason training camp in Florida, coach Gary Smith said he wanted fans to notice the team's changes from 2023 to 2024 almost immediately.
While the primary reasons might have been out of Smith's control, Sunday's MLS season opener against the New York Red Bulls was instead more of the same .
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Playing without 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar and designated player Sam Surridge , and with two other starters on the bench due to injury, Nashville looked overmatched against the energetic, mostly full-strength Red Bulls, but still scrapped its way to an 0-0 draw at Geodis Park.
"Today was a tough, tough point," Smith said. "I said to the guys, I don't know that there will be a harder point for us this year."
RBNY outshot Nashville 16-5, had 53% of possession and generated 1.5 expected goals to Nashville's 0.2. However, a few fortunate bounces and goalkeeper Joe Willis ' 67th career shutout helped a depleted squad salvage a tie.
Nashville's next game is at home Wednesday against Moca FC in the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series, while its next MLS fixture is Saturday at the Colorado Rapids .
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Red Bulls control first half with pressure
Nashville attempted a high press early on, to some success. But intense pressure is the Red Bulls' entire identity, and after a solid few minutes for Nashville, RBNY showed its mastery of the style.
The Red Bulls choked off Nashville's passing lanes, and coupled with the absence of Mukhtar and his playmaking skill, it meant Nashville had few options in possession. Many of their attacks ultimately made their way back to Willis, and the bulk of the first half took place in Nashville's half.
"We knew that the Red Bulls were gonna press us high," Willis said. "They play with a lot of energy, so we were gonna have to take the sting out of the game early on. I think we struggled to do that. They were pretty much all over us in the first half."
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Nashville had its best chance to score in the 39th minute. Shaq Moore made a tackle and started a counterattack down the right side, but Tyler Boyd 's cross to Teal Bunbury was just a touch too long.
Joe Willis keeps Nashville in the game
While Nashville's lineup was mostly toothless in attack, the Red Bulls appeared lethal, and would have gone into halftime leading if not for Willis, who made four saves.
The 35-year-old was quick to react on Elias Manoel 's shot from the center of the box in the 12th minute and did similarly well to parry a shot by Frankie Amaya . Willis also kicked aside an attempt from inside the box by RBNY's much-hyped offseason signee, Swedish national team star Emil Forsberg , in the 45th minute.
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"Probably man of the match for me today," Smith said. "When called upon, he came up trumps. He made two or three excellent saves, great presence in goal. He's been one of the most reliable signings we've made from day one."
Feb 25, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) sets the defense before a corner kick by the New York Red Bulls during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Willis didn't do it all himself, though. The Red Bulls hit the post three times, and Jacob Shaffelburg blocked a 61st-minute shot by Kyle Duncan that had an xG of 21%. Shortly after that, Nashville switched to a system with three center backs by inserting Walker Zimmerman , giving Willis a bit more protection.
"Our wide backs need to shift a little more and they're able to get a little bit higher, they have a little bit more freedom to press players higher up the field," Willis said. "It takes a lot of communication, shifting side to side, but ultimately I think it was the right move."
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Tyler Boyd leads late charge
With more defensive stability thanks to the insertions of Zimmerman and midfielder Anibal Godoy , Nashville carved out a few chances in the final 15 minutes.
In the absence of Mukhtar and Surridge, Boyd was Nashville's most dynamic offensive player, slotting into Mukhtar's role after beginning the game on the right wing of a 4-3-3 formation.
Boyd had two shots saved by RBNY keeper Carlos Coronel, including a hard shot from the left corner of the box in the 84th minute. In addition, late substitute McKinze Gaines used his speed to threaten the Red Bulls down the left wing.
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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 holds Red Bulls to scoreless draw without Hany Mukhtar
