Matt Pickens, goalkeeper for Nashville SC
Nashville SC grinded out one of its best road results of the season with a 0-0 draw at defending USL Cup champions Louisville City FC on Saturday night. Keeper Matt Pickens had five saves to record his 11th shutout of the season.
PICKENS SHUTOUT STREAK
Nashville keeper Matt Pickens continued to star for Nashville SC with his second consecutive shutout. Pickens and the Nashville defense have combined to not allow a goal in 269 minutes of play dating back to the opening minute of Nashville’s August 4th game against FC Cincinnati.
BLOCK BRIGADE
The Nashville SC defense was stout, blocking eight Louisville shots in the shutout. Of Louisville’s 19 shots, only five got through to Matt Pickens, limiting the saves he had to make in the draw.
HUME A LINEUP LOCK
Tucker Hume got his third consecutive start up top for Nashville SC and he again created chances with his holdup play and aerial ability. He recorded Nashville’s only shot on target, a chance in front of net in the second half.
FIRST ROAD BLOOD DRAWN
Nashville became the first team in the budding I-65 rivalry between Louisville City and Nashville SC to earn a road point. Louisville had previously won both its home games against Nashville this season, while SC took its lone home game from Louisville. In USL play, the teams split the points in the three games with both sides earning four.
EAST NASTY
The playoff race in the USL Eastern Conference is extremely tight with 5th through 9th place separated by just one point. With just nine wins and fewer games played, Nashville sits in 9th, but two home wins next week could vault Nashville as high as 4th.
HOME DOUBLE DIP
Nashville will be back at First Tennessee Park for two home games next week. They will take on Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. before turning right around and playing Richmond Kickers on Tuesday night at 7:30 as well.
