Nashville SC defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 at Lumen Field on Sunday night in the first match of the 2022 Major League Soccer season.
This was the first meeting between the two sides since Nashville entered MLS as an expansion team in 2020. Nashville moved from the Eastern Conference last season to the West in 2022 with the addition of Charlotte FC this year.
The best chance of the first half came in the 23rd minute for Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar, who teed up a shot from the top of the box that goalkeeper Stefan Frei got down to parry wide. Neither team was able to find a breakthrough in the opening half and the teams went to the locker room scoreless.
Nashville found the winner in the 80th minute when AnÃbal Godoy tapped home a cross from a few yards out at the back post.
The Sounders are back in action next Saturday at Real Salt Lake (3 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, El Rey 1360AM).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Rusnák at the 10
With captain Nicolás Lodeiro rotated for rest to begin the match after getting the start against F.C. Motagua in Concacaf Champions League on Thursday, Albert Rusnák earned the start in attacking central midfield. The Slovakian Designated Player had a chance to start in his preferred position. Lodeiro entered at halftime and pushed Rusnák out left before he later dropped into the double-pivot central midfield.
First start for João Paulo
After missing the season opener in Honduras and coming on as a substitute in the second leg of Champions League on Thursday, João Paulo earned his first start of 2022. The reigning MLS Best XI selection and MVP finalist looked his strong and dominant self on both sides of the ball before exiting in the 65th minute as he works his way up to full fitness.
First concession
After back-to-back clean sheets to start the year in Concacaf Champions League, the Sounders’ defense was breached at last. Seattle was tied for the best defensive record in MLS last season having allowed just 33 goals in 34 matches.
