Quietly Falling to Nashville

DC's offensive woes continued last night (June 28) as they lost at home to Nashville SC, 1-0.

DC started:

Barraza in goal

Rowles, Bartlett and Tubbs in defense

Schnegg, Enow, Servania and Antley in midfield

Kijima, Badji and Stroud at forward

Subs: Peltola for Tubbs (54th), Pirani for Stroud (62nd), Peglow for Kijima (62nd), Benteke for Badji (62nd), Hopkins for Servania (77th).

On a muggy night, it was a sluggish game. Nashville got an early penalty in the 15th minute as Hany Mukhtar went down in the box under pressure from Bartlett. It looked soft, but it held up to the VAR check and current MLS-leading scorer Sam Surridge buried the penalty to put Nashville up 1-0. DC looked especially sluggish in the first half.

The second half started better for the Black and Red. Things improved further when DC put in three offensive subs at once in the 62nd minute (Pirani, Peglow and Benteke, the latter two returning from injuries) but the added pressure only produced a couple of chances. Benteke (really good to see him back) missed on a close-range header, and also a free kick. A draw seemed possible until the end, but nothing materialized.

Both teams managed just 7 shots, 2 on goal for Nashville (Sturridge had a good chance in the first half but Barraza made a nice save) and 1 on goal for DC (a harmless header from Kijima). DC played good defense overall, but without any offense the effort was to no avail.

Nashville is now unbeaten in 12 consecutive games and sits in third place in the Eastern Conference; DC is in 12th place, 10 points adrift of the last playoff spot.

The teams will meet again in Nashville on July 9 at 9pm in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup. In the meantime, DC hosts Atlanta next Saturday (July 5) at 730pm at Audi Field.