Nashville SC kicked off their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series against Inter Miami CF with a 2-2 draw at a packed GEODIS Park. The first leg, played in front of a sellout crowd, will be decided on aggregate, with the conclusion set for next Wednesday, March 13, at 7:15 p.m. CT in South Florida.
Before the match, Nashville SC made headlines by announcing the contract extension of 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar. The German midfielder, a key figure for the team, is the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points for Nashville SC. The extension will keep Mukhtar in Music City through 2026, with an option for 2027.
On the field, Jacob Shaffelburg stole the show by scoring twice, marking his first career brace. His goals were crucial, especially after Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami CF in the second half, followed by a late equalizer from Luis Suarez. Shaffelburg’s performance was a highlight in a series that saw him also score in the previous round against Moca FC.
Looking ahead, Nashville SC will host the LA Galaxy in MLS play on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. CT. The match will also celebrate Women’s History Month. Tickets for the game are available for purchase.
The match timeline saw Shaq Moore setting up Shaffelburg for the first goal in the 4th minute, with Shaffelburg scoring again in the 47th minute. Messi pulled one back for Miami in the 52nd minute, and Suarez leveled the score deep into stoppage time.
Nashville SC’s record against Inter Miami CF extends to 4 wins, 2 losses, and 5 draws after the draw. This match also marked the team’s first goals conceded in 2024 at GEODIS Park and in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Notably, Dan Lovitz led the team with a 97% passing accuracy rate, while Shaffelburg recorded the first brace of his career.
The lineups featured Joe Willis in goal for Nashville SC, with players like Mukhtar, Tyler Boyd, and Hany Mukhtar starting. For Inter Miami CF, the likes of Messi, Suarez, and Sergio Busquets featured prominently.
Match officials for the game included referee Marco Ortiz and VAR Benjamin Whitty, among others. The weather was partly cloudy, with a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, providing ideal conditions for the match.
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