Union, Nashville SC battle to scoreless draw

Updated: Oct 8, 2023, 03:21 am

The Philadelphia Union ended their impressive home schedule with another point in a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC on Saturday.

The Union are 10-1-6 in home matches this season, one of three MLS teams with only one defeat on their home pitch.

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However, Philadelphia (15-8-10, 55 points) hasn't yet clinched at least one home date in the MLS Cup playoffs. The Union may need a win at the New England Revolution on Decision Day on October 21 to solidify a third- or fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Nashville SC (12-10-10, 46 points) is in seventh place in the East, and need to finish in at least seventh to avoid the wild card match.

The draw extended the Union's unbeaten streak to eight matches (2-0-6), while Nashville SC are only 1-5-5 in their last 11 regular-season matches. Nashville has been shut out seven times in those 11 matches, and only two shots on goal in their last three matches.

Joe Willis made five saves, securing the Nashville goalkeeper's 10th shutout of the season. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded his eighth shutout, needing just one save for the clean sheet.

Philadelphia held 52.6 percent of the possession Saturday, outshooting Nashville SC by a 14-7 margin while holding a 5-1 edge in shots on target.

Alejandro Bedoya had three of those on-point shots, including Philadelphia's two closest chances of the night. In the 28th minute, Willis had to make a jumping save to knock aside Bedoya's nice shot from outside the box.

Bedoya came close again in the 58th minute, when the longtime Union captain almost converted a header off a corner attempt. Willis had to react quickly to make the close-range save and keep the match scoreless.

Nashville only showed some life early in the second half, after a dangerous loose-ball scramble in front of Philadelphia's net in the 46th minute. Teal Bunbury had a pair of solid chances shortly thereafter, including Nashville SC's lone shot on target.

Nashville SC's 29 goals allowed are the fewest in MLS this season.