NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The crowd at First Tennessee Park was already in a festive mood before kickoff with the knowledge that Nashville SC had claimed a place in the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs, but was then treated to a six-goal thriller by the hosts and 2018 USL Regular Season champion FC Cincinnati as Bolu Akinyode’s 90th-minute equalizer left the sides all square 3-3 on Saturday night.
A season-high crowd at First Tennessee Park of 9,083 fans filled the venue, with NSC Head Coach Gary Smith paying tribute to the club’s fans as it waited to see where its final position would land ahead of next weekend’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
“I know for sure the players have been delighted and overwhelmed to be working in front of them,” said Smith. “I do honestly think that facing the supporters’ section in the second period always helps the ground, and we scored two goals at that end today again as well. It’s been I would say a humbling experience this season as we’ve seen in the last 34 games plus Open Cup. I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
“The players have made a tremendous connection with the fans, and I genuinely hope that we have the opportunity; there are a couple of things that can happen tomorrow that will pop us up another spot to sixth and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that happens because I do honestly think there’s an opportunity here to get a home game, and I’d just love to see a playoff game here. It would be great.”
Here are some of the sights and sounds from Nashville’s regular-season home finale on Saturday night.
IT’S MATCH DAY in my hometown!!! Let’s do this @fccincinnati !!!#NSHvCIN #FCCincy #JoinTheMarch #MusicCityIsHome pic.twitter.com/DyTAtqqlzh
— Laura Zamora (@LauraInTheNati) October 13, 2018
Special thanks to the Traveling Bailey family last night, you came with full voice for 90 minutes and the draw got the boys 23 straight unbeaten. The next 4 game season starts today, see ya next week for the Playoffs. Get home safe. @fccincinnati @ThePrideCincy @ThePrideNorden pic.twitter.com/zkPH9tRst6
— Marshall Law (@ChrisMarshall_) October 14, 2018
Congrats to @CorbenBone for appearing in his 100th #FCCincy match!#JoinTheMarch #RiseTogether #MLS2CINCY #NSHvCIN pic.twitter.com/cz3bSDjwPm
— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) October 14, 2018
@Stacey_Daniels1 “Our favorite camera guy” @RVKCoachEvans @amykhinton @abbymfreeman @NashvilleSC @NSCRoadies pic.twitter.com/1b2cW6rkVL
— Susan Evans (@sbe963) October 14, 2018
Daddy-daughter date night. She had to watch her favorite player @Boushwa22 play. Good luck @NashvilleSC in the Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/4CBV4zA4TC
— Matt Manning (@MSCrecDOC) October 14, 2018
Fantastic game to end the regular season for @NashvilleSC
— Phillip A Wages (@pwages27) October 14, 2018
It's been fun watching two Tarheels (@tuckerhume and @AlanJWinn) make Nashville a soccer city.#NSHvCIN #MusicCity pic.twitter.com/gR1ikQteU1
The @NSCRoadies on the march for the last @NashvilleSC game of the season! #nshvcin #OurTownOurClub pic.twitter.com/HUpVLXTOZg
— L. H. (@Lhjd2001) October 14, 2018
Representing for the @NashvilleSC tonight pic.twitter.com/JhrC5mXp4Z
— Titans tatted (@bdiddy022002) October 14, 2018
@NashvilleSC GOLD RUSH! Come on you boys in gold pic.twitter.com/sCtm3KdJey
— Sarah Petersen (@Speedersen21) October 14, 2018
Here for the Big Bird goals @NashvilleSC pic.twitter.com/d6w8pwShXQ
— Cutler Klein (@CutlerKlein) October 14, 2018
A brace on the night of his 100th appearance... have a night, @CorbenBone!#NSHvCIN | #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/Fx7p5Dk6Hj
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) October 14, 2018
I have work in the morning but how am I suppose to sleep after a game like that @NashvilleSC
— Travis & Nashville SC SZN (@NSCGuru) October 14, 2018
Last @NashvilleSC home game this year. 2018 was fun. pic.twitter.com/e4ftxtD95Z
— Ben (@BWrightSSP) October 14, 2018
Someone’s in a good mood for #NSHvCIN pic.twitter.com/lpr1iLnprB
— Alex Stec (@Alex_Stec_) October 13, 2018
So Excited to pull my signed Jersey out of a grab bag. Thanks for a great season Nashville SC @NashvilleSC #soccer #nasvillesc pic.twitter.com/a4ZdDeNtTo
— Carroll L Lawson (@CarrollLLawson) October 14, 2018
GOAL! @NashvilleSC pic.twitter.com/5lHfFbrK2B
— Joseph Payne (@Coach_JoeP) October 14, 2018
An awesome selfie with the one and only USL MVP @LedeManu18!!!! #NSHvCIN #COYFCC #MusicCityIsOrangeAndBlue #RiseTogether #FCCincy #USLChamps #MarchToTheCuplaur pic.twitter.com/gfD6Ija22a
— Jose Zamora (@FCCincy2018) October 14, 2018
Next game playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!! @NashvilleSC @brandon21allen @NSCRoadies pic.twitter.com/7rDsJk1Ins
— samuel_lawson24 (@Lawson24Samuel) October 14, 2018
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