Leagues Cup: Nashville SC inches closer to glory

NSC played host to C.F. Monterey Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Leagues Cup. This match took no time at all to stir up controversy as a beautiful strike from Hany Mukhtar was disallowed after a questionable offsides call in the 12th minute. Alex Muyl did not make contact with the ball but was still deemed to be offside due to “obstructing the keeper’s ability to make a play”. After the goal was disallowed C.F. Monterey enjoyed long periods of possession. NSC’s backline was shaky during these moments and struggled to clear the danger but stood strong to get to halftime 0-0. The first 25 minutes of the 2nd half were more of the same as C.F. Monterey continued to maintain pressure with NSC only seeing a few decent looks at goal. Then, in the 67th minute, NSC’s Walker Zimmerman won a header at midfield that leaked right to the feet of Hany Mukhtar in space. Mukhtar then played a perfect pass to a streaking Sam Surridge who then found the back of the net for his 3 rd goal in as many games with the club. C.F. Monterey would not go away easy however as wave after wave of chances were thwarted by stellar defense and a few clutch saves by NSC keeper Elliot Panicco. Extra time saw NSC continue their stellar defense while also still attacking as Fafa Picault buried the brace in the 96th minute going top bins to seal the deal. NSC now finds themselves in the final of a tournament playing for their first trophy in team history. The drama does not stop there though as their opponent will be Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The state of Tennessee has never seen a soccer match as big as the one they have coming up on Saturday at Geodis Park. No professional team in Tennessee has ever won a championship trophy. It is time for the boys in gold to bring it home.