Sporting Kansas City 2, Nashville SC 1 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

After going down to 10 men early in the second half, Nashville SC fell to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Sunday night at Children’s Mercy Park courtesy of an Erik Hurtado wondergoal.

Nashville got out on the front foot from the very beginning, getting on the board early when defender Walker Zimmerman found the back of the net on off a corner in the 15th minute for NSC’s sixth set-piece goal of the season.

SKC shifted gears for the last 20 minutes of the first half, but they weren't able to break through the Nashville defense and at halftime, found themselves down a goal at home.

Johnny Russell had Sporting KC’s only two shots on goal in the first half and he continued to create opportunities for his side right away in the second half. Less than 10 minutes in, the Scotsman dribbled past two defenders to bring the ball into the box and cross it to the oncoming Gerso, who had an easy finish in front of goal to level it at 1-1.

Moments after the restart, Nashville went down to 10 men when right back Alistair Johnston was sent off with a second yellow.

Joe Willis and the NSC defense successfully fought off the Sporting attack for the bulk of the second half until Hurtado got on the end of a cross from Amadou Dia and volleyed it over Willis for the go-ahead goal.

Goals

• 15' - NSH - Walker Zimmerman | WATCH
• 53' - SKC - Gerso | WATCH
• 79' - SKC - Erik Hurtado | WATCH

Three Things

• THE BIG PICTURE: With Nashville hovering around the playoff line in the East, Gary Smith’s side need all the points they can get. The loss tonight snaps their 4-game unbeaten streak, while giving Sporting KC their third win in as many games and putting them into second place in the West and within one point of the Seattle Sounders.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Nashville got on the board first, but weren’t able to hold off Sporting Kansas City after going down to 10 men in the 55th minute.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia made several key saves throughout the night to keep his side in the match, starting just two minutes into the first half. He finished the night with four saves.

Next Up

• SKC: Wednesday, October 14 at FC Dallas (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
• NSH: Wednesday, October 14 at Houston Dynamo (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)