Nashville SC to Host Inter Miami in the MLS Leagues Cup Final on August 20
After winning a series of matches against expansion teams from their own and rival leagues, Nashville SC is set to make history on Saturday by lifting its first ever trophy in the Leagues Cup final. The Herons will play Inter Miami in the match at GEODIS Park.
Drake Callender made a series of key saves to keep Nashville in the game until late. Leonardo Campana had two chances to win it in the waning minutes, but missed both.
Inter Miami
After a goalless draw in regulation, Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC after 11 rounds of penalty kicks on Saturday night at GEODIS Park. The win is the first trophy of the Lionel Messi era for both clubs and marks the final match of the 2023 MLS season. Drake Callender had a big night, scoring an own goal and saving two penalties in the shootout.
Messi scored the first goal of the night in the 23rd minute, latching onto a blocked effort at the top of the box, dancing past two Nashville defenders and firing a curling effort into the corner. The stadium erupted in cheers for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Nashville tied the game in the 57th minute, as Fafa Picault’s header off a corner kick ricocheted into the net off of Miami goalkeeper Kamal Miller. Both teams missed a number of good chances in the final minutes, and the game was decided by penalty kicks.
Despite missing a number of key players due to injury and suspension, Inter Miami has remained competitive in recent games. Their attacking options are diverse, with DeAndre Yedlin and Jordi Alba performing well on the flanks. Likewise, midfielders such as Lukas MacNaughton and Shaq Moore are a threat.
In the first half, Nashville controlled possession but could not find a way through Inter’s well-organized defense. In the second half, the visitors were able to establish themselves in attack and started to create some chances. Several passes were misplaced and a few crosses went out of bounds, but the home side was unable to capitalize on them.
In the 89th minute, Nashville was awarded a free kick in the penalty area. Hany Mukhtar took the kick but his shot was wide of the mark. Leonardo Campana then tries to chip Panicco, but the goalkeeper makes a save. A few minutes later, the referee blew his whistle to end the match. Both sides will look to improve upon this result in the next round.
Nashville
Nashville, the largest city in Tennessee, has a rich musical history and a lively arts scene. It is also known for its friendly people and has become a popular tourist destination. The city’s economy is diversified and includes major sectors such as health care, education, manufacturing, tourism, music, and entertainment. It is home to many Fortune 500 companies and is the second largest hub for banking in the United States. The city has also a strong manufacturing base with plants for automobiles, tobacco, paper, and chemicals. In addition, it is the world’s third largest private healthcare provider with Columbia-HCA. It is also a center for the music industry, as it is home to Sony Music, Warner Bros., RCA Records, and other famous recording studios.
This year, Nashville SC hosted Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final. The match was an epic battle with both sides being just two years old and fighting for their first trophy in the club’s history. Nashville defeated several MLS teams in their playoff run to get to the final, including the Philadelphia Union and the Monterrey Rayados.
The match was a close one, with both teams having chances to win the game in regulation. Lionel Messi scored the first goal in the 23rd minute, putting the away team ahead 1-0. He had four defenders around him, but still found space to unleash his left boot. The goal was the 37th in a final for Messi.
Both teams were inches away from winning the game in the final minutes of regulation, but it came down to penalty kicks. After 10 rounds of penalty kicks, the score was tied 1-1. Drake Callender saved a shot by Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar, and Elliot Panicco missed the final penalty for Miami.
The match was also a spectacle for the fans, with both teams having their share of celebrities in attendance. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a minority owner of Nashville SC, celebrated his goal by performing Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration near the halfway line. This is not the only time he has copied his idol, as he has also mimicked him in the past.
Predictions
MLS 2023 Leagues Cup finalist Nashville SC will host Inter Miami for their first ever meeting on August 20, in what promises to be an epic encounter. Both sides were MLS expansion clubs in 2020, and both are still searching for their first piece of silverware. Inter Miami, led by legendary coach David Beckham and world-famous superstar Lionel Messi, look like they could be one of the best teams in North America. They have dominated the competition, and they are unbeaten since Messi’s arrival.
Nashville, meanwhile, have been impressive all tournament long, and they have shown that they can compete with the league’s best. They defeated Club America and Monterrey to make the semifinals, where they brushed aside Philadelphia with a 4-0 victory. The Herons have plenty of momentum, and they are looking for a big win to cement their status as one of the top teams in the United States.
The match is expected to be a close affair, but the Herons are more likely to edge it. Nashville’s defence has improved under Martino, but it is not nearly as solid as it was at the start of this tournament. This means that Inter will have ample opportunities to score.
On the other hand, Nashville will be hoping to hold off Miami and keep their defensive shape intact. They will be bolstered by the return of goalkeeper Tim Howard, who is expected to replace Brad Guzan in the starting lineup. Howard has been excellent for the Herons this season, and he is an experienced presence in the backline.
There has been three or more goals in both of Nashville’s last eight games, and Inter has netted in each of their past six. This makes Over 2.5 Goals a good bet, and it would not be surprising if both teams scored in this match.
Head-to-Head
The game was a thriller with both teams fighting for the victory. In the end, it was Nashville who got the better of Inter Miami, as they won the 2023 Leagues Cup at Geodis Park. Lionel Messi was in top form for the visitors, and his goal made the difference between the two teams. Nashville SC manager Gary Smith was pleased with the team’s performance, and believes that his side can improve further in the next season. The club has also brought in new striker Sam Surridge this season, and he looks set to add more goals to their tally.
Despite being held scoreless for the first half, Nashville’s high pressure defense managed to keep Inter Miami at bay for the most part. However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Messi’s unstoppable left foot found the net. The goal was the first in a Leagues Cup final for the hosts, and marked the 37th goal of the Barcelona legend’s illustrious career.
Both sides fought hard for the equalizer in the second half. Nashville almost managed to get it in the 84th minute when MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar dragged his kick just outside of the box, but it was saved by Drake Callender. The visitors also tried their luck in the last minute of regulation, but Leonardo Campana’s chip shot was blocked by defender Samuel Kryvtsov.
The deciding penalty shootout saw both sides miss their first penalty of the night. Then, defending MVP Hany Mukhtar put the ball just wide for Nashville. Afterward, Taylor Washington missed for the hosts and Jacob Shaffelburg stepped up to convert his kick. Despite the miss, Nashville won the match on penalties and won their first Leagues Cup title of the Messi era. The win marked the fifth time that Nashville had won a penalty shootout. The previous four times came against Atlanta United, Cruz Azul, Orlando City, and New York City FC. The win was the ninth of the season for the club, and they secured their sixth straight win in the competition.
