Defensive stalwarts Sounders, Nashville SC play to 0-0 draw

Updated: Oct 1, 2023, 07:06 am

The top two defensive teams in MLS squared off Saturday night, and the matchup lived up to its billing as the visiting Seattle Sounders and Nashville SC played to a scoreless draw.

The Sounders put together more chances but neither team could find the net in the third all-time meeting between the teams. Nashville won each of the first two by 1-0 scores.

Seattle (12-9-10, 46 points) extended its unbeaten streak to six games (2-0-4), while Nashville (12-9-9, 45 points) has a five-match undefeated streak (1-0-4).

Nashville has allowed a league-low 28 goals, while Seattle is the second stingiest team at 31.

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei made one save while recording his 12th shutout of the season. Nashville's Joe Willis had three saves while posting his ninth clean sheet.

Hany Mukhtar, who began the day tied for the league lead with 15 goals, was the only Nashville player to put a shot on target. The reigning league MVP was closely marked throughout the contest.

Teal Bunbury of Nashville had a chance in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time but lifted the right-footer and it was well off the mark.

The Sounders had a 13-5 edge in shots and placed three on target to Nashville's one.

Seattle had a flurry of chances during a seven-plus-minute portion of the second half.

Heber sent a header off the crossbar in the 58th minute and the Sounders kept control of the ball. Heber got another chance and knocked the ball off the leg of Willis and into the net. But the play was reviewed and Heber was ruled to be offside and the goal was nullified.

In the 61st minute, Nicolas Lodeiro kicked a hard left-footed shot that sailed wide to the right. Four minutes later, Cristian Roldan's right-footer went wide left.

The Sounders outshot Nashville 5-3 in the first half.

Nashville had a solid chance in the 28th minute but Sam Surridge's right-footer went wide right of the net.

Five minutes later, Seattle had two strong opportunities. Alex Roldan's right-footer was saved by Willis and Lodeiro sent a left-footed shot just wide left of the net.

--Field Level Media