Anibal Godoy helps Nashville SC edge expansion twin Inter Miami CF

Anibal Godoy scored off a deflection in the 53rd minute and Nashville SC earned a 1-0 victory Saturday over visiting Inter Miami CF in the first-ever meeting between the two 2020 expansion teams.

Nashville SC earned its first home victory. It was the club's first home game since a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United FC on Feb. 29 in its inaugural MLS match.

Inter Miami CF could not keep the momentum going after earning their first-ever victory in their previous game Aug. 22 against Orlando City, which was a finalist of the MLS is Back Tournament that marked MLS's restart after a stoppage in play because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis made five saves in the victory/shutout. Inter Miami CF goalkeeper Luis Robles made one save.

Nashville SC thought they had the lead in the 17th minute when Alex Muyl headed a ball into the Inter Miami CF goal off a deflection. But a VAR review showed that Myul pushed Inter Miami CF defender Andres Reyes in the back and the goal was taken away.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Nashville SC finally got on the scoreboard. Godoy pounced on a deflection by the Inter Miami CF defense at the top of the 16-yard box and ripped a right-footed shot into the upper right corner of the goal past a diving Robles.

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It was the first goal of the season for Godoy and the sixth of his six-year MLS career. He spent the last five seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Midfielder Hany Mukhtar had a chance to give Nashville a second goal in a game for the first time ever, but his penalty shot in the 74th minute hit off the crossbar.

Inter Miami CF will get a chance at revenge against their expansion rivals when the two teams meet in south Florida next Sunday.