FC Dallas, in its fourth match against Nashville SC this season, finally triumphed against the expansion team, getting a crucial 1-0 road win on Wednesday night at Nissan Stadium.
Ryan Hollingshead struck the game's only goal in the 19th minute, getting on the end of a long Jesus Ferreira pass before firing in a shot. Though Walker Zimmerman blocked the initial effort, Hollingshead stayed with the ball as it bounced back to him and nailed the follow-up.
Dallas nearly doubled the lead two minutes later, with Michael Barrios serving up a pass that Ricardo Pepi headed expertly, but Joe Willis made the save.
Nashville, forced into a first-half like-for-like defensive sub when Jack Maher went down with an apparent leg injury, nearly equalized in the 35th minute. Daniel Lovitz got service in front of goal from Randall Leal but got his feet tangled up around the ball and couldn't get the shot off.
The second half saw Nashville making some subs to try to generate offense, most notably Jhonder Cadiz, who came on at halftime. The hosts also brought on Handwalla Bwana for his debut with the club after he came over in a trade with the Sounders two weeks ago.
But in a largely subdued second half, Dallas brought the heat in the 75th minute, with Willis slapping away a blistering Pepi shot to keep the margin at one. The match then picked up in intensity, with sub Santiago Mosquera forcing Willis to come out to smother a dangerous run into the box, and Hollingshead clearing a shot off the line on the other end to preserve the shutout.
Goals
- 19' – DAL – Ryan Hollingshead | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: After a draw and two losses against this Nashville team, including a 3-0 shocker on Oct. 20, FC Dallas finally got its first win against a team it didn't think it'd be this familiar with heading into the season. More importantly, Dallas are now in serious contention to claim a top-four spot in the West and host a playoff match. For Nashville, it's a first loss in six matches and their first home loss since the opener back on Feb. 29. Despite the recent good run, it does look like Nashville won't avoid the play-in round in its maiden playoff journey.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The goal set up to be a nice team goal with good definitive movement down the field, but in the end it turned out to be a testament to Hollingshead's grit and determination. He wasn't deterred by one of the best defenders in MLS on the play.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Hollingshead got the only goal of the match, and saved a goal on defense with a strong goal-line clearance.
Next Up
- NSH: Sunday, November 8 at Orlando City SC (3:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LiveLIVEon DAZN in Canada)
- DAL: Sunday, November 8 vs. Minnesota United FC (6:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
