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USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Frustrated Yet Undeterred After 0-0 Draw against Pittsburgh

September 23, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Head Coach Gary Smith will be the first to tell you that a 0-0 score could be expected anytime you take on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

It was the way Saturday's 0-0 draw unfolded that left a bitter taste on Nashville SC's tongue.

With Pittsburgh down a man for more than half of the match, Nashville SC dominated possession, but was unable to convert on any chances. That lack of finishing was disappointing in what was otherwise unsurprising result considering the opponent.

"In the first period when we're all square with players, I thought we did a really good job," Smith said. "I thought our shape looked a little bit more dominant than theirs. We found some decent areas. I was a tad disappointed in some of the quality early on. We didn't make enough of certain moments. But in terms of how we got after the game, we affected the game, I was pleased. It was different once the centerback got sent off. They rarely got out of their half, and I have to give them bundles of credit for the type of determination and discipline that they showed in that second half. I begrudgingly do so, given I obviously wanted to win the game. Look at the way that they defended, with a positive mindset, it's not easy to do that.

"They showed a lot of quality there, certainly character-wise. I still felt as though there were enough moments to have got ourselves in front. It really was a case of how well we can build pressure and find that opportunity. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough quality to really pepper their goal and put them in a position where they felt as though if they didn't get out of their half that they were going to concede. Credit to them and maybe a little bit of disappointment on our part."

The first half was relatively even through the first 40 minutes, until a Pittsburgh straight red card saw Nashville SC go up a man for the remainder of the match. Despite owning over 76% of possession in the second half, the Boys in Gold couldn't find a winner.

Given the results around the USL Championship leading up to the match, Nashville SC had a chance to go into first place in the Eastern Conference with a win. Instead, the shared points on the night perpetuated the logjam at the top of the standings as five clubs battle for four top-four spots and a guaranteed home playoff match.

Midfielder Matt LaGrassa felt the disappointment of another opportunity missed.

"We knew what was on the line in this game and I don't think it was a lack of effort from the guys," LaGrassa said. "I don't think we did the wrong things. It's just one of those nights, sometimes they just don't fall your way. I think we've got to be better, we've got to be a bit more clinical, especially as we go closer to the playoffs, the games are just going to get tighter and tighter like that and those chances are going to be vital for us."

Despite missing out on another chance at first place, there are plenty of reasons to believe in Nashville SC's chances at a top four spot. New York Red Bulls II and Indy Eleven both lost this weekend, while North Carolina FC continued to fall out of the top four picture. With plenty of unexpected results around the league, Smith thinks his side is still in a position of strength.

"It's not going to cause any lasting damage," Smith said. "Coming into this game it was one that we could not afford to lose for sure. It would have put Pittsburgh in a commanding position for the top four. They still have destiny in their hands with a couple of games in hand but what we've seen over the past week is that things don't go according to plan. There's going to be some results that we don't expect. There's a little bit of pressure attached to some of the games that are going to be played now, especially some of the top games. We've just looked obviously at the table. There's one point that separates four teams of course with Indy having two games in hand and they probably were the biggest winners today after losing last night in the way that the games went, but they themselves have got a tough schedule. They've got extra games, they've got midweek games at the end of a long, hard season.

"My disappointment is that we've been unable to convert, beat a Pittsburgh side that was always going to be tough to beat but on tonight's showing, one goal would have done it and I've said numerous times, I've seen us find that goal. I've seen us out of nothing win a game and we had more than enough moments to have got that done and we're going to rue that missed opportunity, no two ways about it. For the third time of asking, we've failed to reach the summit of this division and that in itself is a little bit exasperating."

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