Nashville SC 3, FC Dallas 0 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

Nashville SC scored three more goals, collected another shutout and cruised to a win over FC Dallas at Nissan Stadium on Tuesday night.

The hosts started strong with two shots in the opening three minutes, though the dynamic quickly changed in Dallas' favor. Still, Nashville was able to take a lead fairly early through Randall Leal, who scored in the 19th minute. Derrick Jones laid the ball off towards Leal, who took a shot from outside the box that hit Dallas defender Reto Ziegler on the way into the back of the net.

Dallas attempted to look for an equalizer, but never truly managed to make their dominance in possession count. They ended the first half without a shot on target and only four shots overall, though they fared slightly better at the start of the second half. Bryan Acosta recorded Dallas' first shot on target a minute into the second half, but finishing issues persisted. The team ended the half with seven more shots but only two on target, and an out of form Franco Jara came off after 66 minutes.

That struggle from Dallas, combined with a strong defensive performance for Nashville, allowed the hosts to eventually bolster their lead. Jhonder Cadiz scored his first MLS goal in the 73rd minute, when a shot from outside of the box took a wicked deflection off of FCD's Bressan on the way in. 15 minutes later, the win was complete with a goal from substitute Daniel Rios, who danced his way around Ziegler in the penalty box before scoring from an angle.

Goals

• 19' - NSH - Randall Leal | WATCH
• 73' - NSH - Jhonder Cadiz | WATCH
• 88' - NSH - Daniel Rios | WATCH

Three Things

• THE BIG PICTURE: Nashville pulled off perhaps its most impressive victory of the season as both the defense and attack excelled. Dallas never made their possession count with meaningful scoring chances, and have only one win in their last six games as they try to secure a playoff berth.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Nashville truly cemented their victory with Rios' 88th minute goal, seeing him outmaneuver Ziegler before making it 3-0.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: With a goal and an assist, Randall Leal enjoyed a strong performance in an important victory for Nashville. 

Next Up

• NSH: Friday, October 23 against New England Revolution (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
• DAL: Saturday, October 24 at Real Salt Lake (9:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)