Recap: Dan Lovitz equalizer grabs road point for Nashville SC

Nashville SC couldn't replicate their 7-2 win over the Chicago Fire on the road against Atlanta United, but they didn't replicate their 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, either. After going behind in the first half, the Coyotes were significantly improved in the second 45, grabbing a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The XI

Head coach BJ Callaghan didn't make a single change to last weekend's squad, leaving both the starting eleven and the bench unchanged.

On the pitch

Atlanta United came out on the front foot at home. Looking to break a three-match losing streak, they were proactive, putting the visitors under significant pressure early. While neither side played the early stretches at a ton of pace, Atlanta were able to win the ball in the attacking half, and Nashville struggled to cope early on.

Miguel Almirón opened the scoring for the Five Stripes. Joe Willis struggled to claim a speculative cross, and his punch clearance fell calmly to the feet of Saba Lobjanidze. His driven cross found the former Newcastle United attacker, who converted from point-blank range.

Unlike in Seattle, though, Nashville didn't drop off after the goal. In fact, they improved significantly after going behind, aided by Atlanta's premature drop into a very settled low block.

At halftime, Callaghan made a few tactical tweaks. Both Patrick Yazbek and Eddi Tagseth took up higher positions in midfield, with the backline stepping forward to allow the entire team to get more numbers forward. The result was a fairly dominant second half. Outshot four to one in the opening period with 53% of the ball, Nashville had 74% possession in the second half, and took nine shots to Atlanta's two.

Dan Lovitz pulled Nashville level. The left back grabbed his second goal of the year, volleying in a corner kick through the legs of two Atlanta defenders for rescue a point.

It took four saves from former U.S. International Brad Guzan to keep things from getting worse for Atlanta. One in particular denied Hany Mukhtar a late winner from close range after a fantastic through ball from Andy Najar.

The big picture

It certainly wasn't the offensive showing Nashville had against Chicago, but the Coyotes were quietly dominant in the second half. As has been the story all season, the chances were there to win it, but the final touch wasn't consistent enough.

A point on the road is never a bad result in MLS, the most difficult league in the world for visiting teams. It's up to fans to decide if they'd rather be frustrated by the lack of a second goal or encouraged by the overwhelming volume of chances Nashville were able to create.

Either takeaway is valid.

Up next

Nashville SC kick off their 2025 US Open Cup campaign on Tuesday, taking on USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves at Geodis Park on Tuesday night. They'll then play Charlotte FC on Saturday at Geodis Park.

Stats

Possession: ATL 37% – 63%
Passes completed: ATL 291 – 553
Shots: ATL 6 – NSH
Shots on goal: ATL 2 – 5 NSH
Penalty kicks: ATL 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: ATL 1 – 1 NSH
Expected goals: ATL 0.87 – 1.80 NSH
Fouls: ATL 5 – 6 NSH
Yellow cards: ATL 3 – 1 NSH
Red cards: ATL 0 – 0 NSH

Highlights