Nashville SC completes second-half comeback in U.S. Open Cup, beats Atlanta United 3-2

Drake Hills, Nashville Tennessean
·4 min read
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Nashville SC's comeback win over Atlanta United on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup resembled its redemptive 6-3 victory at FC Cincinnati in October.

The performance on that brisk night at TQL Stadium, where Nashville battled back from a two-goal deficit, clinched its spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Wednesday was different: it was do or die, again trailing by two against its Southern rivals and Nashville's Open Cup life was four minutes away from a final, fatal whistle.

Center forward CJ Sapong's header in the 92nd minute kept Nashville alive, adding to Hany Mukhtar's penalty in the 50th minute. With the score tied in extra time, center forward Ethan Zubak scored the game-winner in the 94th minute for a 3-2 victory and his first Nashville goal.

"This has got to be one of the greatest nights of my life," Zubak said after the game. "You can't even imagine games like that."

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Nashville sealed the win over Atlanta at Geodis Park in the Round of 32 of the single-elimination tournament. Nashville was set to learn its Round of 16 opponent  Thursday for a game to be played between May 24-25.

Here's three observations from Nashville's U.S. Open Cup win over Atlanta.

Big time players came up big

Thiago Almada and Luiz Araújo scored for Atlanta in the 13th and 29th minute, respectively. Each instance was against Nashville center back Walker Zimmerman.

But in the second half, Zimmerman came out blazing. His set piece header pinged off the crossbar in the 65th minute. He scored from another Mukhtar free kick in the 79th minute with ease, but referee Elton García controversially ruled Zimmerman offside.

Sapong replaced that goal with his header. He was on the field for just 22 minutes before scoring in back-to-back games.

Mukhtar's penalty that resurrected Nashville boosted the team's confidence and also his. Mukhtar had missed a penalty kick against Sporting Kansas City on April 9. Randall Leal was given the designated role because of that. But on Wednesday, Mukhtar earned his spot back. He stutter-stepped, hesitated and tapped the ball into the bottom right corner.

"He didn't want to be a one-trick pony," coach Gary Smith said of Mukhtar. "He wanted to try and present something different, when he wanted to, to the opposing goalkeeper."

Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Sluggish start, wake-up call at halftime

Smith had spoken. There were voices raised and a few players yelling in the locker room. What goalkeeper Joe Willis described as "a spark" was player-driven.

"To be honest, Alex Muyl was the most vocal at halftime and he was the one rallying the troops," Willis said. "I think his voice in the locker really helped jumpstart us in the second half."

Nashville didn't register a shot on goal in the first half and lost 54% of individual battles for the ball. After the intermission, Atlanta forced Willis to make just one save in extra time and it was Nashville that won 62% of its duels in the second half.

Nashville SC forward C.J. Sapong (17) celebrates kicking a goal against Atlanta United with midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
Nashville SC forward C.J. Sapong (17) celebrates kicking a goal against Atlanta United with midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Nashville played its 'A' team

Smith elected to start eight of his 11 preferred starters on Wednesday, despite the group playing the bulk of minutes last Sunday against Real Salt Lake. Only two day's rest remain before Nashville's match at Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m., MyTV30).

But Atlanta played an "A" team, too, starting nine of its starters from last Saturday's match against Chicago Fire FC.

Zimmerman, Dave Romney and Dan Lovitz played the full 120 minutes. Mukhtar played 112. But after coming from behind by two goals, against its rival, in its first Open Cup match as an MLS outfit, "science goes out the window," Smith said.

"The guys will be as high as a kite. I'll be pulling them off the ceiling," Smith said. "They'll have a recovery day tomorrow and they will be ready, trust me."

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 comes back, 3-2, against Atlanta United in U.S. Open Cup