Brandon Vazquez goal lifts FC Cincinnati over Nashville SC | Replay
NASHVILLE − Brandon Vazquez's first goal of 2023 was decisive against Nashville SC.
A tight, physical game ended with a 1-0 FC Cincinnati victory on Saturday at GEODIS Park. Vazquez tallied in the 48th minute to snap a four-match drought without a goal in MLS play and simultaneously lift the club to a 3-0-2 mark.
FC Cincinnati had to endure 17 shots from Nashville and eight minutes of time added on in the second half but prevailed.
FCC goalkeeper Roman Celentano notched three saves.
After Atlanta United's 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati (3-0-2) moved into second place in the Eastern Conference. Nashville's record dropped to 2-2-1.
FC Cincinnati stays unbeaten
FC Cincinnati (3-0-2, 11 points) held out for the 1-0 victory in their first-ever trip to GEODIS Park. The win is also FCC's first ever against Nashville SC (that playoff game in 2018 was officially recorded as a draw. Brandon Vazquez will get his share of the headlines for his first goal of 2023 but goalkeeper Roman Celentano needs his share of the plaudits too. He had three saves on the night, and they were good ones. He recorded three saves.
FC Cincinnati's defense definitely buckled in the match but the shutout was a great response to allowing three goals against Chicago Fire FC last weekend.
A solid debut (63')
Malik Pinto's night came to a close as he was lifted from the match in favor of Santiago Arias. The Princeton product played simple but effectively in his MLS debut. FCC is trying to out the 1-0 lead.
The drought is over (48')
Brandon Vazquez has his first of 2023. Alvaro Barreal dribbled in, fired off a heavy shot from about 19 yards out that Joe Willis needed to save. Willis did save it, but the rebound sat up for Vazquez and he made no mistake from about six yards.
Scoreless at halftime
Nashville had itself quite a shooting gallery in the first half. The hosts fired off 14 shots. Eight were blocked and three were saved by FCC goalkeeper Roman Celentano. The other four missed the target. Cincinnati was probably happy to get into the locker room when they did as Nashville was pushing hard for the opening goal. Cincinnati hasn't shown much in the attack since Brenner Souza da Silva was stopped by NSC goalkeeper Joe Willis on an 11th-minute breakaway.
An adventurous stretch (43')
On one end of the field, Roman Celentano made a sprawling double save on a Nashville set piece. Then he punched the ensuing corner kick away. Immediately after that, Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis almost had a disaster with the ball at his feet as Brenner Souza da Silva was in hot pursuit of him. Willis was able to boot the ball away to safety some 40 yards off his line.
Mukhtar denied (23')
FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano stopped the reigning MLS MVP at the near post. Celentano got down low to reject Mukhtar on Nashville's first quality chance of the night.
First chance to Cincinnati (11')
Nashville's dominating the ball early but FC Cincinnati had the first big chance of the contest when Luciano Acosta played Brenner Souza da Silva in on goalkeeper Joe Willis on a breakaway. Willis rushed off his line to cut down Brenner's time, space, and angles, and saved the shot.
Match underway (8:39 p.m. ET)
It's been a lovely, early-spring day in Nashville after a stormy Friday evening. Very pleasant weather for what should be a very good match.
Pre-match: A newcomer for FC Cincy
FC Cincinnati rookie midfielder Malik Pinto, a product of Princeton University, will make his MLS debut in the starting lineup for the club in the absence of Junior Moreno. Moreno is away on international duty with the Venezuela men's national team.
FC Cincinnati starting XI: Roman Celentano, Alvaro Barreal, Yerson Mosquera, Matt Miazga, Nick Hagglund, Ray Gaddis, Malik Pinto, Luciano Acosta (captain), Obinna Nwobodo, Brenner Souza da Silva, Brandon Vazquez.
Nashville SC starting XI: Joe Willis (GK), Daniel Lovitz, Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman, Jack Maher, Fafa Picault, Sean Davis, Dax McCarty, C.J. Sapong, Jacob Shaffelburg, Hany Mukhtar.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brandon Vazquez goal lifts FC Cincinnati over Nashville SC | Replay
