MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC falls 1-0 to Nashville SC at Lumen Field to open 2022 MLS season

Sounders FC (0-1-0, 0 points) fell 1-0 to Nashville SC (1-0-0, 3 points) to open its 2022 MLS campaign on Sunday at Lumen Field. Nashville’s Aníbal Godoy scored the definitive goal for the visitors, as Sounders FC is now 8-6-0 all-time in regular-season openers.

Despite both sides creating a number of chances, the match remained scoreless until the 80th minute. A short clearance fell right to the feet of Nashville’s Randall Leal, who delivered a low cross from the right flank that found Godoy, who was able to finish it over a diving Stefan Frei for the game-winning score. It was the first time the two clubs have faced each other, with 2020 expansion side Nashville SC joining the Western Conference this year after starting in the Eastern Conference for its first two seasons in MLS.

Sounders FC next travels to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, March 5 for its first road test of the season against Real Salt Lake (3:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM). 

MATCH NOTES

• This marked the first-ever meeting between Seattle and Nashville, who moved to the Western Conference in 2022 after two seasons in the Eastern Conference.

• Sounders FC is now 1-1-1 across all competitions this season, with a plus-four goal differential (5-1).

• Sounders FC is now 8-6-0 all-time in MLS season openers.

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer is now 3-3-0 in MLS season openers. 

• Sam Adeniran started up top in place of the injured Raúl Ruidíaz. Adeniran, who played for Tacoma Defiance last season, made two appearances (one start) in 2021 with the First Team via Extreme Hardship. 

• 2021 MLS MVP finalist João Paulo made his first start of 2022. Cristian Roldan moved to the wing this evening, with Albert Rusnák slotting in at the attacking midfielder role. Nico Lodeiro came on as a halftime substitute.

• 16-year-old Obed Vargas made his third start in as many games (across all competitions) in 2022. The Sounders FC Academy product also was selected to the starting XI for both legs of the club’s Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 matchup with F.C. Motagua. 

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Nashville SC 1
Sunday, February 27, 2022

Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistants: Ian Anderson, Chris Wattam
Fourth Official: Malik Badawi
VAR: Geoff Gamble
Attendance: 30,013
Weather: 49 degrees and rain

SCORING SUMMARY

NSH – Aníbal Godoy (Randall Leal) 80’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 18’*
SEA -* Nouhou (caution) 90+4’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Xavier Arreaga (Danny Leyva 89’), Nouhou; João Paulo (Léo Chú 65’), Obed Vargas (Kelyn Rowe 75’), Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák, Jordan Morris (Fredy Montero 75’); Sam Adeniran (Nico Lodeiro HT)

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Jackson Ragen, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Dylan Teves

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 13
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 3 

Nashville SC – Joe Willis; Walker Zimmerman, Daniel Lovitz, Eric Miller, Dave Romney; Aníbal Godoy, Sean Davis (Jack Maher 89’), Dax McCarty, Randall Leal (Alex Muyl 81’), Hany Mukhtar (Ake Armoud Loba 81’); C.J. Sapong (Teal Bunbury 71’)

Substitutes not used: Alex Muyl, Bryan Meredith, Tah Anunga, Ethan Zubak, Luke Haakenson, Taylor Washington 

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 1
Saves: 3