Penn FC and Nashville SC Play to Scoreless Draw
Published on April 24, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC and Nashville SC played to a scoreless draw as both sides navigated difficult weather conditions due to rain.
The Blue and White walked out with a vastly different lineup compared to the match with Charleston. With only three days in between matches and another this weekend, Head Coach Raoul Voss provided much needed rest to many of his veteran players. Penn FC did not miss a beat, despite the changes.
Sean Lewis earned his first start between the pipes and made three saves on his way to a clean sheet. Lewis' two saves in the second half had an extra degree of difficulty as the wet conditions worsened.
Offensively, the team played fast on the wings and in the midfield which forced fouls from Nashville to stop the transition play. Frederick Opoku, in his first start, was a spark plug on the wing. He flashed his speed on transition and beat defenders to through balls regularly. Opoku was credited with one chance created and recorded one shot. His athleticism and skill with the ball earned Man of the Match honors from the fan vote.
Jerry Ortiz, also in his first start of the season, took three free kicks in successive minutes following Nashville fouls several yards out of the box each time. Ortiz ripped off three shots that beat the wall, and one shot required a save from Nashville's Matt Pickens. Ortiz distributed the ball consistently with an 86.7 percent passing accuracy. Ortiz' created chances and accuracy earned Man of the Match honors from the USL.
Penn FC picked up its fourth straight point in the USL Eastern Conference standings and sits within striking distance of the conference's top-half. Sitting two spots and one point ahead of Penn FC is North Carolina FC. The Blue and White head to Cary, N.C. to play NCFC on Saturday, April 28. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sahlen's Stadium.
Penn FC returns to Harrisburg, Pa. immediately after the match against NCFC to kick off another two-match homestand at FNB Field. Penn FC will host Voss' former team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, on Friday, May 4 at 7 p.m. The Blue and White then host Ottawa Fury, on a quick turnaround, on Monday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for both of those matches are available on pennfc.com/tickets.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 24, 2018
- Atlanta United 2 Falls to Charleston Battery 3-0 - Atlanta United 2
- Penn FC and Nashville SC Play to Scoreless Draw - Penn FC
- Charleston Battery Downs Atlanta United 2 - Charleston Battery
- Pickens Earns Fourth Shutout In Six Games This Season - Nashville SC
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- Reno's Musovski Earns USL Player of the Week - USL
- San Antonio FC Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo Named to USL Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- USL's Week Ahead - April 24-30, 2018 - USL
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