LAFC vs Nashville SC Highlights
The Black and Gold were looking to finish off their successful MLS season in victorious fashion but ended up in a shutout 1-0 loss in the LAFC vs Nashville SC match on Sunday afternoon. The 2022 Supporters’ Shield Champions completed the regular season with a league best 67 points and record of 21-9-4.
On the other end of the spectrum, Nashville SC senior goalkeeper Joe Willis had a tremendous defensive outing making 14 saves throughout the game, including a decisive stop on Cristian Arango’s penalty kick during the first half stoppage time. Needless to say, if that goal were to make it to the back of the net, the fans at Banc of California Stadium would’ve gone bananas.
Just after the LAFC vs Nashville SC halftime, NSC forward Teal Bunbury secured his fifth goal of the season in the 53’ after a header pass following a corner kick. It looked as if LAFC’s Maxime Crépeau let that one slide a bit too easily, and unfortunately his offense couldn’t get enough going to equalize the score for the rest of the game.
Besides the Bunbury score, there wasn’t much in the LAFC vs Nashville SC highlights reel. With 23 goals and one more than Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi, who scored in a victory over Colorado, NSC’s Hany Mukhtar ended up winning the MLS Golden Boot even without a goal in this game. Nashville ended up placing the fifth seed in the upcoming playoffs with a club high 13 wins for the season.
Carlos Vela had to make an exit to the locker room late in the first half, but reports have stated his injury is not to be considered serious. Hopefully he gets well and back into action next week. The loss gave LAFC their first ever shutout loss at home this season. The last time they were shutout at Banc of California Stadium was in 2020 against the Galaxy on August 22.
On Thursday, October 20, the LAFC will begin their stay at the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs while hosting the Western Conference Semifinals at home. As the number one seed, they will play against the winner of the LA Galaxy vs. Nashville SC match that’s taking place the following weekend.
When asked about the potential of another episode of El Tráfico, LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead acknowledged the matchup.
“At this point we are so confident in who we are as a team, especially at the Banc at home, that we’re ready to see anybody and face anybody,” said Hollingshead. “We think that we are the team to beat in this league. We think the Shield shows it, but we got to now go prove it. There’s not a better storyline than taking the Cup after beating the Galaxy here at home, so if that’s who wins the matchup we’re going to be ready for them.”
And so are we. Let’s go LAFC!
