Nashville SC Goals: Mukhtar 30', 68', Latinovich (OG), 32'
New York City FC Goals: Castellanos 90'
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New York City FC traveled to Nashville on Friday night for a meeting at Nissan Stadium. Unfortunately, the Boys in Blue couldn’t pick up the win. A first-half strike by Hany Mukhtar gave Nashville the lead, and they doubled that advantage via a Vuk Latinovich own goal. Mukhtar notched his brace midway through the second period to hand the hosts a 3-1 win.
MATCH RECAP
New York City FC were on their travels Friday night as they took on Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium.
Head Coach Ronny Deila was forced into a number of changes due to international call-ups, with Vuk Latinovich coming in for his first MLS start alongside Alfredo Morales in the heart of defence.
The Boys in Blue started the game well and that saw them produce several early opportunities including an effort from Valentin Castellanos that stung the palms of Joe Willis.
At the other end, a swift counterattack from the hosts allowed CJ Sapong to get a shot off that forced Sean Johnson into a save at his near post.
NYCFC were then presented with a great chance to take the lead in the 13th minute after a combination between Santiago Rodríguez and Maxi Moralez allowed Rodríguez a shot on goal, but he failed to keep his effort down.
Despite that strong start Nashville were growing into the game, and they took the lead on the half-hour mark.
It came thanks to a long ball in behind from Dax McCarty that found Hany Mukhtar in space. The German forward quickly wriggled away from Anton Tinnerholm before firing past Johnson.
The visitors would double their advantage minutes later after a dangerous low cross from Daniel Rios was turned into his own net by Latinovich.
The game was proving a somewhat feisty affair and things boiled over just before half-time after McCarty flew into Moralez.
A Music City melee between the two sides ensued, and as the dust settled referee Timothy Ford decided to dismiss both McCarty and Moralez.
The second period started with Nashville proving dangerous, and that meant Sean Johnson was required to make a big stop from Mukhtar.
Nashville’s number 10 thought he had a second goal in the 56th minute, but he was correctly flagged offside.
NYCFC continued to push and create chances, and in the 67th minute Rodríguez fired a fierce shot at Wills’ goal.
Unfortunately, the next goal of the game would go to the hosts after Sapong played in Mukhtar on a fast breakaway.
Not long after, in the 72nd minute, Ronny Deila introduced Thiago Andrade and Talles Magno for Jesús Medina and Rodríguez.
Two further subs would arrive in the 74th minute when Gedion Zelalem and Chris Gloster replaced Nicolás Acevedo and Malte Amundsen.
The substitutes added energy to proceedings, and that pressure eventually told in the 90th minute after a smart through ball by Morales found Castellanos in space - he slid the ball past Willis.
Unfortunately, that late strike was not enough to turnaround the deficit, and that saw NYCFC suffer a 3-1 defeat on the road.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a trip Gillette Stadium to face New England Revolution on Saturday, September 11. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM ET (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).
