Recap: Nashville SC concede stoppage-time winner in Orlando as MLS slide continues

For the second times in as many MLS matches, Nashville SC conceded a winner in second-half stoppage time, losing a heartbreaking 3-2 match to Orlando City in a result that could have major implications on their final place in the Eastern Conference table.

The XI

With Walker Zimmerman out with a knee injury, head coach BJ Callaghan continued with the center back partnership of Jeisson Palacios and Jack Maher. Gastón Brugman came back into midfield, with the shape shifting to more of a 4-3-3.

On the pitch

As is typically the case in matches between these two sides, the match was incredibly tense and staccato to start. Neither side were able to hold onto the ball for much sustained possession, with brief passages of play punctuated by choppy fouls.

One of those fouls led to the opener. Eddi Tagseth picked up a yellow card for a foul just outside the box, and Martín Ojeda curled the ensuing free-kick in off the post.

Two minutes later, Ojeda made it a brace, pouncing on a poor giveaway from Patrick Yazbek to fire a low shot past Joe Willis.

Just before halftime, Hany Mukhtar pulled one back for Nashville. The midfielder rattled the post from outside the box, and followed his own rebound to poke past Pedro Gallese and in.

Nashville continued the momentum, with halftime substitute Jacob Shaffelburg finding the back of the net after just five minutes on the pitch. Nashville nearly took the lead just minutes later, when Sam Surridge headed wide from point-blank range following a Shaffelburg cross.

The 'Yotes struggled in the late stages. Andy Nájar was set to be subbed off for Josh Bauer, but Jeisson Palacios went down with injury, forcing Nájar to stay on. Eddi Tagseth also went down with a cramp and couldn't continue, while Dan Lovitz was pulled off late. The changes impacted Nashville, and with tired legs on they did all they could do to hang on for a point.

It wasn't enough. Substitute Tyrese Spicer blazed past Nájar, and Bauer was caught flat-footed at the near post for Duncan McGuire to slip past him and find the winner, leaving Nashville with nothing yet again.

Goals

• 30' | ORL | Martín Ojeda
• 32' | ORL | Martín Ojeda (Kyle Smith, Luis Muriel)
• 45+1' | NSH | Hany Mukhtar
• 51' | NSH | Jacob Shaffelburg (Dan Lovitz, Sam Surridge)
• 90+5' | ORL | Duncan McGuitar (Tyrese Spicer)

The big picture

Nashville's skid over the last two months is beyond merely concerning. It's getting to the point where it will have a significant impact on their final position in the table, and as a result their MLS Cup hopes.

Nashville went into their July 25 match against San Diego FC in 3rd place in the East, just four points off the Supporters' Shield. Since then, they've lost six of seven matches and earned just three points from a possible 21. They're down to seventh place in the table, tied on points with eighth-placed Columbus Crew.

They're completely out of the Shield race. They're seven points above the playoff line and not in imminent danger of missing the postseason, but their form has been inexcusable.

Nashville SC’s season-defining week

With two matches against Supporters’ Shield contenders and a US Open Cup semifinal, the next seven days are crucial

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

I wrote at the start of the week that these three fixtures would define Nashville's season. On one hand, they're into the US Open Cup final, and lifting that trophy would be a major success, even overwriting some of their shortcomings. But after a season of highs in MLS, their shortcomings have been clearly evident over the last two months.

They simply cannot afford to let this form continue any longer.

Up next

Nashville have the full week to recover and figure things out before a home match against Houston Dynamo on September 27, which has quickly become a must-win fixture.

Stats

Possession: ORL 38% – 62% NSH
Total Passes: ORL 343 – 594 NSH
Shots: ORL 14 – 9 NSH
Shots on goal: ORL 6 – 6 NSH
Penalty kicks: ORL 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: ORL 3 – 2 NSH
Expected goals: ORL 1.89 – 1.77 NSH
Fouls: ORL 6 – 14 NSH
Yellow cards: ORL 1 – 3 NSH
Red cards: ORL 0 – 0 NSH
Announced attendance:

Highlights