A multitude of travel difficulties and a third game in eight days made for tied legs for Nashville SC as it fell to previously winless Toronto FC II, 2-0.

90 in a Nutshell

Nashville appeared to have an early lead when Brandon Allen put one into the back of the net off a corner kick. Allen ended up being called offside and the goal was wiped off the board.

In the 34’ minute, Nashville keeper CJ Cochran came off his line to cut down the angle from a Toronto attack. When attempting to play the ball, Cochran committed a foul and Toronto was given a penalty. Luca Uccello converted and gave Toronto a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Minutes into the second half, Toronto doubled its lead. A long throw in led to Matthew Srbely working his way across the top of the 18-yard box, around the Nashville defense. Srbely placed his shot perfectly into the side netting to add an insurance tally.

Nashville used its subs to bring more offensive players into the game, but the scoring woes continued as it was shutout for the fourth time in five July games.

Goals

34’ – Luca Uccello (Penalty)

48’ – Matthew Srbely (assisted by Shaan Hundal)

Watching the East

Even with the loss, other results went Nashville’s way, keeping Nashville in 7th in the Eastern Conference.

Travel Trouble

Nashville’s trip up to Rochester was wacky before it even began. Multiple flight issues due to poor weather conditions east of the Appalachians forced the match to be pushed from 5 pm CT to 7 pm CT. Some players arrived in the morning on Saturday, while other did not arrive until just hours before the match. The travel complications undoubtedly affected preparations for this match.

Allen on the Doorstep

Nashville forward Brandon Allen nearly changed the complexion of the match early on when he knocked home a feed off the head of Matt LaGrassa in the box off a set piece. However, it was quickly blown dead as Allen was just offside. He had another chance in the second half and looked to have scored, only to have it called off for offside on the feed from Ropapa Mensah.

Opportunity Didn’t Knock

Nashville was able to dominate possession, owning the ball for 53.8% of the match. However, the Grade-A scoring chances just didn’t percolate from it. The road team had eight shots in total with three of them coming on target. On the flip side, TFC II was able to capitalize on two mistakes in the Nashville defensive third and create two goals out of it.

July Woes

The month of July was not kind to Nashville SC. The club did secure a win over Atlanta United 2 and drew top-ranked Cincinnati FC 0-0, but the club scored just one goal in the process. The end of the month provided a steep challenge with three matches in eight days, plus a myriad of injuries testing the club’s depth.

Rest, Recover, Attack

Nashville will finally get a chance to rest its legs and heal up before the club travels to the Queen City to take on top-ranked FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Saturday night. The club shut out Cincy at Nissan Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the future MLS cities.

Up Next

Nashville SC will have a normal work week leading up to a big showdown at FC Cincinnati on August 4.

The Nashville Sounds built an early 3-0 lead but saw their losing streak reach four games with an 11-6 loss to the Salt Lake Bees at Smith’s Ballpark on Saturday night. All nine Sounds hitters reached base safely in the slugfest, but Salt Lake notched 18 hits and went in order just once against Sounds pitchers.
The Sounds jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a big first inning against Jose Suarez. Ramon Laureano and Boog Powell walked to start the game, and Sheldon Neuse moved his hitting streak to 13 games by smashing a two-run triple. Then Neuse scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Anthony Garcia. The lead didn’t last long, as the Bees scored one in the first, four in the second and three in the third to chase James Naile. The Sounds’ starter gave up eight runs on 12 hits in 2 1/3 innings in the loss.
Down 8-3, the Sounds fought back with single runs over the next three innings. Franklin Barreto doubled and scored on a grounder by Steve Lombardozzi in the fourth, and Laureano homered in the fifth. It was his fourth homer in five games on the road trip, and his eighth in July. Jorge Mateo doubled home a run in the sixth to pull the Sounds within 8-6, but the Bees responded. They scored once in the sixth against Ryan Dull and twice in the eighth against Danny Coulombe for the 11-6 final. Eduardo Paredes got the relief win for Salt Lake.
Game 3 of the four-game set is Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Chris Bassitt (3-4, 5.33) is scheduled to start for the Sounds, and Dylan Unsworth (5-0, 5.77) will counter for the Bees.
The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Ramon Laureano and Franklin Barreto each homered, but the Nashville Sounds never enjoyed a lead and saw a ninth-inning rally fall short in an 8-6 loss to the Salt Lake Bees at Smith’s Ballpark on Friday night. The Sounds have dropped three consecutive games and are 5-13 on the year against Pacific Conference teams.

The Sounds trailed 8-2 after five innings but fought back. In the sixth, Bruce Maxwell drew a bases-loaded walk, and Jorge Mateo delivered a sacrifice fly to cut it to 8-4. Then in the ninth BJ Boyd’s RBI grounder and Barreto’s run-scoring single pulled the Sounds within 8-6. Sheldon Neuse singled and Maxwell walked to load the bases, but Jorge Mateo struck out against Jeremy Rhoades to end the game. The Sounds drew 10 walks and stranded 12 runners on base.

Starter Raul Alcantara gave up seven runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings in the loss. The Sounds trailed 2-0 in the third inning when Laureano launched a homer down the right field line, his third homer in four games on the road trip. After Salt Lake answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, Barreto smashed a homer to left to cut the deficit to 4-2. Alcantara and Jeremy Bleich combined to give up four runs in the fifth to put Salt Lake ahead 8-2. Griffin Canning worked five-plus innings to notch the win for Salt Lake.

The Sounds continue the four-game series Saturday night at 7:35 p.m.. James Naile (6-9, 4.19) will make the start, and Jose Suarez (0-3, 5.11) is scheduled to pitch for the Bees.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41^st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Members of the CHS golf team with their tournament championship trophy on Thursday. [Photo provided]

Samuel Prater was the low scorer for Coffee County as the senior carded a 74 to finish in 4^th place as an individual.  Senior Josh Perry fired a 76 followed by fellow senior Austin Farris who shot a 77.  Freshman Logan Hale also posted a 77 to get the Red Raiders off to a 9 and 0 start.  The win gives Red Raider coach Mike Ray 808 wins in his 10 year career at Coffee County.

The Raider linksters will travel to Lawrenceburg on Monday for an 18 hole tournament.  Coffee County will also play a pair of tournaments in Cookeville, on Tuesday and Monday, August 6th before their first home match.  The Raiders first home match will be on Tuesday, August 7th at Willowbrook when they welcome Warren County for a 9 hole match.