'It was a gift': Nashville SC blows two-goal lead, ties Portland Timbers at Geodis Park

Nashville SC coach Gary Smith described it as a gift. But not one that invokes cheer.

With a first half-lead and humidity on its side, Nashville had the Portland Timbers where it wanted them.

"You can tell the guys got tired," Timbers coach Gio Savarese told Portland's Fox 12 Plus during halftime. "They couldn't run anymore."

But the halftime insertion of midfielder Eryk Williamson and Hany Mukhtar giving Nashville atwo-goal lead in the 57th minute introduced a rejuvenated Timbers side.

Nashville (7-6-5) blew its lead in a five-minute span, settling for a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Geodis Park, rather than a dominant and emboldening win against Portland (5-8-6).

"Teams are not working for their goals," Smith said. "And until we get to a point again where we put them in a position where they have to beat us – internally we're saying, 'come and beat us.'

"…I think we've given away some very soft goals this year. That's brutally honest," Smith said. "Does it mean that we're playing poorly? No, it doesn't. In fact, I think we've improved as a group."

Portland's Dairon Asprilla scored from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, after Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco made a passing error and brought down Jaroslaw Niezgoda in the penalty box. Niezgoda tied the game in the 69th minute.

Nashville's Sean Davis scored his first Nashville goal. Mukhtar netted the second.

Here are a few observations from Nashville's draw against Portland.

U.S. Open Cup: Nashville SC bounced out of Cup by Orlando City SC in penalty shootout.

Summer mailbag: MLS reporter Drake Hills answers questions about the U.S. men's national team, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the MLS secondary transfer window.

Last MLS match: Nashville SC thumps D.C. United behind Hany Mukhtar goals.

Crucial mistakes erase Nashville lead

In Panicco's third MLS match, the 2020 first-round SuperDraft pick was still finding his footing.

Panicco went into halftime having made a SportsCenter-like stretch save in the 40th minute to protect a 1-0 Nashville lead. But with a 2-0 cushion midway into the second half, Panicco made a pass he instantly regretted.

Niezgoda and Asprilla led a high press deep into Nashville's territory. Panicco had a rough touch with the ball and Niezgoda was in position to collect and score. Panicco wrapped up the forward, and referee Armando Villareal immediately whistled for the penalty kick.

"The game of soccer is filled with 1,000 mistakes," Panicco said. "Everybody makes mistake and you just got to stay focused on your tasks. Move on to the next one."

"That's all part of his growth – to evaluate where we're at (in the game)," Smith said of Panicco. "And, quite frankly, it was a ball that just needed to be cleared."

Mukhtar continues summer form

In July 2021, Mukhtar had scored seven goals and added five assists, garnering MLS MVP candidate attention. In July 2022, Nashville's best player sits at nine goals and five assists in the summer month.

Winger Luke Haakenson whipped in a low cross to set up Mukhtar inside the penalty box for the tap-in goal. That followed up Davis curling in a shot uncontested, without a defender within five yards of him.

But Portland's crushing comeback felt like a loss, given Smith describing the 2-2 draw as "exceptionally galling."

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC blows 2-0 lead, ties the Portland Timbers