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Photo Credit: Eduardo Villalobos
Nashville 5-0 Ottawa: Coyotes Run Rampant At Home
By Heading into the second leg of their maiden Concacaf Champions Cup tie, Atletico Ottawa knew it had little room for error.
However, last year’s Canadian Premier League champions cracked under the pressure, losing 5-0 away to Nashville SC. Across the two legs, the aggregate score read 7-0 in favour of the US Open Cup holders.
None of the host’s outfield players started their weekend win in their MLS season opener, a 4-1 beating of New England Revolution. Only goalkeeper Brian Schwake maintained his place in the starting lineup. In comparison to last week just one change was made, with Warren Madrigal being replaced by Reed Baker-Whiting.
For Ottawa, there were three adjustments to last week’s 2-0 reverse. Joaquim Coulanges suffered an injury in the first leg, with his place up top being taken by Erling Myklebust. Loic Cloutier and Emiliano Garcia were the other two to start this time for Ottleti.
Nashville had the first chance of the match seven minutes in off a free kick. Jack Maher was the one to get onto the cross, but the skipper could only nod his effort wide of the mark.
Similar to the week prior, the opening quarter of the match was largely quiet, with little going in the attacking sense. The deadlock was broken by the home side in the 21st minute though: Matthew Corcoran’s cross was met by former Forge striker Woobens Pacius, who headed it onto the post. Alex Muyl was there to convert the loose ball into an open net.
That goal put a bit more spring in Nashville’s step, as they continued to press and look for another. Ottawa was once again unable to do much in the attacking third. They had just four attempts in the whole match.
Nine minutes before the break, the home side doubled their advantage on the night. Corcoran was again involved in the play, finding Jordan Knight with a perfect pass over the top, catching the Ottawa defence off guard. Knight took a touch to control the pass before firing it past Garissone Innocent.
Nashville made it 3-0 on the night less than 10 minutes after the restart. Ahmed Qasem found enough space on the left-hand side to get into the box and go for goal despite the tough angle. Innocent was behind the shot to deny him, but the ball spilled to Pacius, who finished the attack from close range.
The onslaught for Ottawa continued, as they failed to get anything going in the second half. Shortly past the hour mark, Bryan Acosta’s free kick was met by Maher, who touched it on towards goal, beating Innocent to make it 4-0.
The guest’s only attempt on target came in the 82nd minute after some nice buildup. Manny Aparicio chipped it over to an onrushing Daniel Aguilar, who brought the ball forward before having a shot. It was a rather tame effort in the end though, as Schwake was able to easily gather.
A fifth goal rounded out the night a couple of minutes later. Aparicio gave away the ball in the midfield, as Shakur Mohammed commenced the attack. After a give-and-go with Pacius, the substitute played a brilliant flick to Qasem, who rounded Innocent before placing it past Noah Abatneh. It was the pick of the bunch from the hosts, who took advantage of a tired Ottawa side in the end.
The referee opted not to add any stoppage time, bringing to an end Ottawa’s first crack at continental football. Nashville will move on to face Inter Miami in March, the same team who knocked them out of the Champions Cup at this stage two years ago. Before that, their next league match will be on Saturday away to FC Dallas.
As for Ottleti, they will have a month and a bit off before they take the field again. Their first game of the CPL season will come on 4 April when they return to Hamilton to take on Forge.
Header Image Photo Credit: Eduardo Villalobos
