Recap: Nashville SC take the win in second-ever match against Huntsville City FC

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Nashville SC scored six goals in their second-ever meeting with Huntsville City, with a mix of first-team and Huntsville players combining for an electric showing in the second annual Space Cowboy match.

The XI

Expectedly, Nashville rotated heavily. Most of their key players weren't even in the squad, with their bench heavily supplemented by the bulk of Huntsville's roster.

Huntsville, meanwhile, fielded a lineup full of Nashville academy players, with several other unsigned trialists in the squad.

On the pitch

Unsurprisingly, Nashville's quality was noticeable from the get-go. The visitors dominated possession, circulating the ball around Huntsville's box, almost toying with the hosts at times. Jonny Pérez was dangerous down the left flank, while Bryce Boneau and Blake Bowen controlled much of the tempo on the other side. Nashville eventually opened the scoring from the right side, with Teal Bunbury burying two crosses, one from Bowen and another from Josh Bauer.

Ahmed Qasem, playing in a more central role akin to Hany Mukhtar's, earned a penalty just after the half hour mark. The Swede stepped up to the spot, but put his shot too close to the middle of the goal, and Erik Lauta made a simple save. Minutes later, Qasem atoned for his error, finishing after a slick give-and-go with Bowen.

Just before the half, Bowen grabbed a goal of his own. The Huntsville captain got on the end of a crisp passing move involving himself, Qasem and Boneau to add to an already resounding lead.

Nashville made wholesale changes at the break, bringing in a cadre of Huntsville players; Ethan O'Brien, Zach Barrett, Tyshawn Rose, Kevin Carmichael and Phillip Mayaka. Huntsville made changes of their own, giving Ammar Delić and Manny Arias shifts in goal, and playing Zion Jones for the full second half at right back.

The game quieted down after wholesale changes, with Nashville controlling the bulk of posession, but Huntsville beginning to threaten more in behind. The introduction of Gunnar Studenhofft gave the Rocket Men an additional threat, and the Cayman Islands international came close to scoring several times. Huntsville eventually pulled one back through trialist Danny Sebhatu, who got in behind Nashville's right flank and drive a low shot past Xavier Valdez.

Nashville added two more of their own, with Adem Sipić cleaning up after a slip from Isac Enriquez and Phillip Mayaka driving in a low shot from range to cap off an entertaining evening.

Goals

• 12' | NSH | Teal Bunbury (Blake Bowen)
• 31' | NSH | Teal Bunbury (Josh Bauer)
• 39' | NSH | Ahmed Qasem (Bryce Boneau)
• 45' | NSH | Blake Bowen (Ahmed Qasem)
• 56' | NSH | Adem Sipić
• 70' | HNT | Danny Sebhatu (Andre Krikorian)
• 84' | NSH | Phillip Mayaka

The big picture

The match was never designed to be a competitive game, but with the bulk of Huntsville's best players wearing gold, it was even harder to take anything away from the scoreline. Four of Nashville's six goals were scored or assisted by a Huntsville players, with Adem Sipić, on loan to Huntsville for the full season, grabbing a fifth.

There were certainly some standout performances, though. Even with an early missed penalty, Ahmed Qasem was lively and involved, and had some really good interchanges from a more central role. Bryce Boneau, an FC Dallas academy product and MLS SuperDraft selection, was arguably the best player on the pitch during the first half, and fit in well with the rest of Nashville's first-teamers.

Similarly, Blake Bowen was extremely involved in the attack in the first half, contributing in the buildup to several goals and delivering the assist for Teal Bunbury's opener. The 24-year-old defender moved into a more advanced role in the second half with Jordan Knight playing right back, and while his impact lessened, he was still involved.

The real standout of the second half was Ethan O'Brien. The midfielder, who made his Nashville debut in the US Open Cup, was the best player on the pitch in the second half. He covered an intense amount of ground and was consistently able to open up space for himself with quick shoulder feints before receiving the ball. His passing range was impressive, and he got into advanced positions around the box, coming close to goal a few times. He's been a regular in training with Nashville, and looks capable of making the step up to MLS.

For Huntsville, 17-year-old Tristan Tropeano was really bright in his 30-minute shift, attacking defenders at pace with the ball at his feet and curling a couple shots just past the post. Gunnar Studenhofft stretched the game for the hosts when he was introduced, and his physical profile is intriguing. His technical ability needs work, as was evidenced by a few shots he put far too close to the 'keeper, but his ability to stretch the field and get the ball in space was a game-changer.

As Huntsville continues to develop, more and more players will push for minutes with Nashville, or at least be capable of filling in as short-term call-ups. Using mechanisms like Designated Players or the U22 Initiative is a crucial way to add talent at the top of the roster, but MLS NEXT Pro is becoming an increasingly viable and valuable way to improve the middle and bottom of the roster.

It's certainly worth celebrating the impact that Huntsville is having and will continue to have for the larger Nashville SC organization.