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Analysis: Nashville SC Looks to Build and Learn from 2-2 Draw at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

April 29, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - On Saturday, Nashville Soccer Club played 87 minutes of high-quality soccer, and five minutes of less-than-stellar soccer against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Those five minutes were the difference between a decisive 2-0 win that it could have earned and the disappointing 2-2 draw that it ended up with. However, that doesn't mean the first 87 minutes of tape need to be burned and buried.

"I thought for 87 minutes we played a perfect game here," said Head Coach Gary Smith. "Always very difficult, they are a frugal team here. To be 2-0 up, it was maybe more than we expected. I am of course very disappointed in the way we finished the game. But, for lots and lots of reasons, it was a very good performance. Looking at what we achieved last week, what we produced, to come away from home and dictate the game, at a place like this, is not easy. I am bitterly disappointed. To not take all 3 [points] feels like a defeat. However, in moments like this, we certainly have to look at the positives, and I'd like to think if we attack games and give the type of performance like we did tonight, we will get more out of these games than we did last week."

Despite the conclusion, the match was a big step forward for defender Bradley Bourgeois, who was making just his second appearance of the season. In the first half, he knocked a ball back off of a set piece scramble to Ken Tribbett, who hammered the ball home for the opening goal. In the early minutes of the second half, Bourgeois headed home a goal of his own to pad Nashville's advantage to 2-0.

As a major contributor to Nashville's league-best backline in 2018, Bourgeois is thrilled that he's been able to get to contribute again in 2019.

"Definitely frustrating," Bourgeois said of sitting out the first four matches of 2019. "We're competitors, we definitely want to be out there, especially from what I know I brought last year. The thing is, your role changes all the time. For me, the first four or five games, my role was different supporting and pushing the guys, but I got my chance, and I felt like I took it."

Both of Pittsburgh's late goals came from high balls into the box that came down for unmarked Riverhounds in the box. Christian Volesky's 88' minute diving header gave Pittsburgh some life, and an own goal in stoppage time gave the Riverhounds a share of the points out of thin air.

Smith pinned those late tallies on a difference in mentality between the two sides at the time.

"There was a little bit more urgency and panic to get back in the game with time running down and the clock running down," Smith said. "It looked a really routine cross to me, the first goal. It looked like Volesky nipped in front of the centerbacks and got some sort of connection to it and turned it in at the near post. Even at that point we had limited them to very little in terms of shots on target. I still felt as though we would see the game out. There was no reason to suspect otherwise.

"Again, I am not quite sure how the second goal is constructed, or how they are allowed to be in that position. I am almost certain I am going to see poor recovery area, a lack of awareness in vital moments to see the game out. This really isn't about tactics or construction of the team. The job is done. This is about guys knuckling down and getting the final moments done and getting us through. It comes down to experience and wherewithal and inner strength to see the game through. Tonight, we weren't able to."

Nashville adjusted its formation in order to break down Pittsburgh's tight, disciplined style of play. While the formation functioned for the first 87 minutes, the breakdown in the final five minutes will be fresh in Smith and the team's minds when they hit the training ground again this week.

"It's not an easy place here," Smith said. "I thought we needed a bit more steel and discipline at the back there. The three man midfield of genuine midfield players instead of creators. For the large portion of the game, it turned out the right way. Sadly the game is not 87 minutes long, it's 90 minutes long. It's a valuable lesson learned. Most of the choices and construction of the group was pretty much perfect. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to see the job through."

The Boys in Gold will close out a lengthy road swing with a matchup against Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, May 4 at 6:30 PM CT.



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