SDFC tightens grip on first place with win over Nashville

Hirving Chucky Lozano right is congratulated after scoring the winning goal against Nashville SC Photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego San Diego FC s tendency for slow starts continued Friday but the expansion side was still able to pick up a win and shut out one of the best teams in MLS in the process After a scoreless first half that was a tightly contested measured chess match the club roared to life in the second half and defeated Nashville SC - at Snapdragon Stadium Stars Hirving Chucky Lozano delivered the goal Lozano whowas fresh off an appearance in the MLS All-Star Battle on Wednesday scored during the eighth minute of the second half via a right-footed shot from the center of the goal that connected with the top right corner of the net It was his first goal since June Then came an almost goal right at the very end of the match with seconds remaining during minutes of stoppage time a left-footed shot by Anders Dreyer that hit the net s lower left zone sealing the win It was almost Dreyer s th goal of the season because MLS ultimately ruled that time had expired SDFC had presumed it counted leading to a brief discrepancy in the final total San Diego thought it had won - It did however remain a win Lozano s goal was his seventh of the season Dreyer assisted on Lozano s goal his th assist of the season San Diego which came into the match winless in its last three home games delivered its first clean sheet since a - home win against Austin FC on May It was the first-ever clash between the two sides Nashville one of the best teams in MLS this season came into the match in second place in the Eastern Conference while San Diegoentered at the top of the Western table Following the domination SDFC now sits at - - with points compared to for Vancouver which faces Sporting KC Saturday Nashville meanwhile slips to third in the Eastern standings with a - - record and points At the end of the day you have to cherish wins against good teams SDFC head coach Mikey Varas declared in a postgame interview We ll enjoy this one because the boys played a heck of a tournament San Diego came into the match shorthanded with four players forward Marcus Ingvartsen right-back Willy Kumado defender Christopher McVey and forward Anisse Saidi all out due to lower-body injuries However defensive midfielder An bal Godoy who had missed the three previous matches due to injury returned to the lineup and played about minutes in the second half Three of San Diego s starting XI played in Texas just hours earlier Lozano Dreyer and Jeppe Tverskov all participated in the All-Star Battle in Austin logging at least minutes of playing time each Nashville also sent three players to the All-Star Match and one of its players Sam Surridge scored for MLS during their - win against over a squad made up of Liga MX league all-stars Notes Up next SDFC begins participation in the Leagues Cup an annual tournament between MLS and Liga MX clubs San Diego has three matches scheduled across seven days against Mexican teams CF Pachuca on Tuesday Tigres UANL on Aug and Mazatl n FC on Aug All the matches are scheduled for Snapdragon Updated p m July