All-Stars strike in 1-0 victory over Nashville SC
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano celebrates the lone goal in San Diego FC’s 1-0 victory over Nashville SC. (Photo credit: San Diego FC)
San Diego FC led by their MLS All-Stars beat the Eastern Conference side, Nashville SC, in a 1-0 result at Snapdragon Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 28,114.
The three points keeps them atop the MLS Western Conference with 46 points and fourth in the overall standings for the MLS Supporter’s Shield.
“In possession, we were so brave with the ball,” SDFC Head Coach Mikey Varas said. “We really took them out of their game because they're very fast and they can they can combine really quickly, but they couldn't get on the ball as much as I'm sure they would have wanted to.”
San Diego featured a much deeper bench with seven field players available compared to the only four field players available in their last match due to various injuries.
Neither team scored in the first half, but San Diego was the more dominant side with good play by San Diego, who imposed their strong pressing style which slowed Nashville
The home side won the possession battle and took more shots in the first half which eventually wore down the Nashville side by the start of the second half.
In the 53rd minute the team’s All-Stars, Jeppe Tverskov, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Anders Dreyer made their impact.
Tverskov sent in a beautiful ball through the field toward Lozano and Dreyer in the right channel. Lozano let the ball go past him to Dreyer into the penalty area. Dreyer took a second to draw the defensive attention to the right side. Once a defender and the goalkeeper committed Dreyer laid the ball off to his left with a light pass to a wide-open Lozano inside the box. Lozano sent the ball in straight to the back of the net to make it 1-0.
“I feel very happy that I was able to score and get the result for the team and for the club. We had a rare setback, but we were able to get back on track,” Lozano said. “There are a lot of things we need to work on, but we are on the right path. We are going to continue to work hard to be on the right track”
San Diego had a chance to add to their lead in minute 83. Ema Boating recently subbed on for Lozano on the wing and SDFC was creating danger inside the opposition’s box. Valakari had the ball at his feet, but was taken down awkwardly by a Nashville defender. The referee immediately blew the whistle for a penalty.
Anders Dreyer took the penalty with an uncharacteristically slow approach to the ball. He shot the ball weakly with his left which the goalkeeper saved easily to keep it 1-0.
San Diego eventually switched to a defensive system with five-man backline substituting on Paddy McNair for LDLT in the midfield.
Nashville had a chance with a free kick in the last minute of 8 minute added time, but San Diego cleared the ball. The referee blew the whistle to end the match, but Dreyer and some Nashville players did not hear it.
Dreyer ran the ball down the pitch and scored on an open net with one defender to much fanfare despite the game already being over.
SDFC will take a break from MLS the regular season to play in the third edition of the Leagues Cup between Liga MX and MLS teams. Each team will play three matches against a team in the opposing league in the preliminary phase of the tournament. San Diego will play all of their matches at home and start with C.F. Pachuca on Tuesday, July 29, at 8 p.m. Neither team scored in the first half, but San Diego was the more dominant side with good play by San Diego imposing their style on Nashville that was slowed.
The first half play wore down the Nashville side by the start of the second half.
In the 53rd minute Jeppe Tverskov sent in a beautiful ball through the field toward SLozano and Dreyer in the right channel. Lozano let the ball go past him to Dreyer into the penalty area. Dreyer took a second to draw the defensive attention to the right side. Once a defender and the goalkeeper committed Dreyer laid the ball off to his left with a light pass to a wide-open Lozano inside the box. Lozano sent the ball in straight to the back of the net to make it 1-0.
San Diego had a chance to add to their lead in minute 83. Ema Boating recently subbed on for Lozano on the wing and SDFC was creating danger inside the opposition’s box. Valakari had the ball at his feet, but was taken down awkwardly by a Nashville defender. The referee immediately blew the whistle for a penalty.
Anders Dreyer took the penalty with an uncharacteristically slow approach to the ball. He shot the ball weakly with his left which the goalkeeper saved easily to keep it 1-0.
San Diego eventually switched to a defensive system with five-man backline substituting on Paddy McNair for LDLT in the midfield.
Nashville had a chance with a free kick in the last minute of 8 minute added time, but San Diego cleared the ball. The referee blew the whistle to end the match, but Dreyer and some Nashville players did not hear it.
Dreyer ran the ball down the pitch and scored on an open net with one defender to much fanfare despite the game already being over.
“I'm so proud of the group because, yes we have talent in the team and yes we have a style of play that they commit to and that helps us and can be our competitive advantage,” Varas said. “But this group also has a ton of character and character was a massive factor in this game and that's what makes me so excited."
SDFC will take a break from MLS the regular season to play in the third edition of the Leagues Cup between Liga MX and MLS teams. Each team will play three matches against a team in the opposing league in the preliminary phase of the tournament. San Diego will play all of their matches at home and start with C.F. Pachuca on Tuesday, July 29, at 8 p.m.
