Club América 2-2 Nashville SC: summary: score, goals, highlights, 2023 Leagues Cup
Club América - Nashville SC: as it happened
Where to start. The game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes (or 99 minutes to be honest).
Quiñones bagged a 90th minute penalty for the Liga MX side and with the final second of the game, Hany Mukhtar finds Surridge on his debut and the English striker heads home to draw the game level.
The real drama itself unfolded in the shootout as Maher has his shot saved by Luis Malagon and for five or more minutes we think Club America have won as fans celebrate on the field.
VAR intervenes and confirms that the America keeper was off his line when the kick was taken. Maher made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Dos Santos misses, Lovitz scores and Nashville win!!!
What drama in the Leagues Cup.
I need a lie down !
Cheers for tuning in and catch you all soon.
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Club América vs Nashville SC was just game in a thrilling set of fixtures from the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
Three of the five games went to penalties, while Monterrey needed a 97-minute spot kick from new signing Sergio Canales to secure passage to the quarter-finals. Only LAFC, who enjoyed a resounding 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake, had a comfortable evening.
With the 47 teams whittled down to just eight the 2023 Leagues Cup - the first edition of the expanded tournament - is really getting interesting. Here are those Leagues Cup quarter-final fixtures...
So, for the second game in succession, Nashville progress on penalties.
The game tonight having the twist of the final kick for the MLS side being retaken.
My word... Just when you think you've seen it all in football, this happens!
America fans are furious and now throwing objects at the Nashville players
My word... what a turn of events at Geodis Park.
Lovitz can win it now for the MLS side.
The No. 2 scores and Nashville advance
Dos Santos hits the bar and gives the advantage to Nashville.
The defender steps up again and this time scores.
We go again !
So Maher to take again .....VAR has given Nashville a lifeline !
Malagon is now furious and mayhem is breaking out as the stadium security are at full stretch.
The tie is not over.
Fans were on the pitch celebrating but the tie is not over !
This is dramatic. Luis Malagon was off his line for the final penalty and the kick will be retaken.
Never seen the like before !
Club America will now face Minnesota who beat Toluca on spot kicks.
Club America advance
Nashville need to score. Maher to take...
The defender has his kick saved and America win.
Pressure on Nashville who need to score now
AME 2-2 NSH
AME 1-1 NSH
Next up for America is Miguel Layun and the veteran has his kick saved
Mukhtar now for Nashville and the German has his kick saved
Quiñones up first and the Colombian scores
So, here we go... the drama continues....
Nashville subbed on keeper Panicco who was the hero in their shoot out against Cincinatti.
All three games are set to be decided on shoot outs !
The whistle sounds and it ends 2-2.
A penalty shoot will now be used to determine the winner.
Surridge makes a statement with a goal on his Nashville debut
Nashville getting desperate now and pumping balls into the box.
We'll have five minutes of added time but given the delay in the handball decision, the game will go to roughly 100 minutes.
Julian Quiñones is poised to take.
The Colombian grabs the ball as Nashville players still protest.
The No. 33 slots home and America are ahead.
Club America are awarded a spot kick.
Godoy is carded as he talks to the ref.
What a cruel blow for Nashville as there is very little debate on the handball.
Valdes shoots but Club America are appealing for a penalty as the ball hits MacNaughton on the hand.
VAR checking.
Into the final five minutes and we'll go straight to a shoot out should the scoreline remain 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes.
Diego Valdes really has given Club America a new lease of life as Nashville are a little on the ropes.
Toluca now draw level too and all three Leagues Cup games are tied.
The momentum swings the way of the Mexican side as they look to seal the winner.
The ball falls to Surridge but the English striker heads high and wide.
A wonderful header from the sub who rises well to draw his side level.
Big call for a spot kick for America
Final fifteen and as things stand, Nashville look like good value for their lead.
Goals flying in as the Union draw level with NYRB 1-1
Toluca too score and now trail Minnesota 1-2
Layun on for Reyes (Club America)
Valdes does well and slips the ball through to Zendejas who blasts the ball at Willis.
Just twenty minutes left for America to offer a reply. A more subdued performance from the Liga MX side in this half as they now chase the game.
Alvarez crosses and the bar grazes the Nashville crossbar.
Diego Valdes is on for America as Suarez makes way
A wonderful header from the central defender as he rises well and makes no mistake.
Mukhtar set to take a free for Nashville. The German clips the ball but the wall does a good job and the ball is out for a corner.
Nashville look much better in the opening minutes of this second half but have yet to really carve out a clear cut chance
Zimmerman saves a goal bound effort as the defender cuts out a Rodriguez effort.
Surridge is warming up on the sideline and we may see the former Premier League striker in action soon. The English player joins the MLS side from Nottingham Forest.
Mukhtar does well and secures a corner for his side.
The ball falls to Bunbury but once again Malagon saves well.
Club America well on top in the first 45' but just need to be more clinical as the second half starts.
The teams return to the pitch at Geodis Park.
HT scores:
Philly Union 0-1 NY Red Bulls
Toluca 0-2 Minnesota
Possession - America 63-37 Nashville (%)
The whistle sounds and brings the half to an end.
America very much in control but yet to really threaten the Nashville SC goal.
The MLS side enjoyed some early half chances but have wilted as the game moves on.
Lovitz barges into Suarez and is luck not to be carded
Fine work from Leo Suarez as he works the ball onto his favoured left foot but his shot is straight at Willis.
Heading towards the interval and it remains 0-0 in Geodis Park.
America very much in control now as we approach the break.
Big call from America as a Nashville defender handles but the MLS men get out of jail as the flag was already up against Quiñones who was offside.
Minnesota now 0-2 up against Toluca.
Not for the first time tonight, Nashville give the ball away cheaply as America press high.
America do well as Quiñones looks to find an opening as the ball falls to Zendejas and the USMNT player fires over.
Half an hour gone and the best chances have go the way of Nashville despite the Mexican team enjoying the bulk of possession.
Mukhtar goes to ground and calls for a penalty kick but the referee is unimpressed and waves play on.
Nashville gift the ball to Quiñones but the striker drives the ball off MacNaughton. The America striker should have done better.
Nashville go down the other end and Mukhtar forces Malagon to tip over with a fine strike.
Minnesota go ahead over Toluca.
Remember, the winners of that game will play America or Nashville in the next stage of the Leagues Cup.
Constant possession from America as they peg Nashville back.
A lull in the action as the MLS side now retain possession and build patiently.
Possession: America 67-33%) Nashville
America look so well organised in the centre of the park and have been working some neat passing as they look for a way to carve open the Nashville rear guard.
It's been a bright opening start to the tie.
A great chance for Nashville as Mukhtar slides through a delightful ball to Bunbury who calls Malagon into action once again.
The Berlin born Mukhtar looks to be in inspired form tonight.
Dos Santos carded as he hauls back Mukhtar from the centre of the park.
And now it's the turn of America to have a shot as Zendejas and Rodriguez work the ball well but the Nashville defence do their job.
Cagey start with both sides enjoying spells of pressure.
First chance of the night falls to the MLS side as Bunbury forces a fine stop from Luis Malagon.
All set in Nashville. America in all yellow, the MLS side in all black.
It´s the Mexican side who will start the game. Off we go.
Yellow very much the prevalent colour in the stands at Geodis Park and a casual glance would suggest as many Club America fans as Nashville supporters in attendance tonight.
The teams are in the tunnel and slowly make their way to the pitch.
It's Nashville looking to deliver a shock against the Mexican giants America and secure a place in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter final stage.
Ten minutes to kick off as fans continue to pack into Geodis Park.
From what we can tell, the 30,000 arena won't be full tonight.
Toluca vs Minnesota and Philly v NYRB are the other Round of 16 games kicking off at the same time as our match in Nashville.
We'll keep you updated on all the goals and major talking points from each game.
Club America XI
The America starting team is out and Quiñones will be assisted in attack by Leo Suarez and Brian Rodriguez.
We're still waiting for the definitive Club America starting XI but we do anticipate that former Atlas striker Julian Quiñones will start as lone striker.
America-Nashville: match officials
Referee:Selvin Brown
Ast. Referee 1:Roney Salinas
Ast. Referee 2:Jose Mangandi
Fourth official:Rosendo Mendoza
VAR:Erick Yair Miranda Galindo
Ast. VAR:Ismael Cornejo
As is the case with the Leagues Cup, the kick-off will be ten minutes after the previously advertised start time. So a 8:10 pm ET start in Nashville !
New Nashville Sam Surridge starts on the bench for Nashville with coach Gary Smith alluding that the English striker will get 20-30 minutes towards the end of the contest.
Gary Smith names Nashville XI
The English head coach has named a side with a balance of experience and youth as they look to overcome Liga MX giants Club America.
America to wear their classic yellow tonight
America are technically the home side (for Leagues Cup administration purposes) despite the match taking place at Geodis Park which is home to Nashville.
The Mexicans therefore get to wear their home colours which may mean that the MLS side sport their iconic Johnny Cash 'Man in Black' kit
Nashville will look to the goals of striker Hany Mukhtar with the 2022 MLS MVP only on target once in his last ten outings for the Boys in Gold.
Five Leagues Cup R16 games to play
Tonight's clash in Nashville is one of the five outstanding Round of 16 games yet to be played.
Inter Miami, Queretaro and Charlotte have progressed to the next stage and will be joined by the winners from:
Club America vs Nashville
Philadelphia vs New York RB
Toluca vs Minnesota
Tigres vs Monterrey
LAFC vs Real Salt Lake
Dax McCarty previews Ame clash
The Nashville player was clear stating: "Wheter we like it or not, that in built rivaly is always there when we face a Mexican team"
Potential quarter final rivals
The winners of the round-of-16 tie tonight in Nashville will face Minnesota United or Toluca in the quarter-finals.
América’s possible line-up vs Nashville
Goalkeeper: Luis Malagón.
Defenders: Kevin Álvarez, Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres and Salvador Reyes.
Midfielders: Jonathan Dos Santos, Álvaro Fidalgo, Leonardo Suárez, Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez.
Forward: Julián Quiñones.
América will be without the injured pair Henry Martín and ‘Cabecita’ Rodríguez, while Richard Sánchez misses the tie through suspension, having been sent off in his side’s round-of-32 win over Chicago Fire on Friday.
Jardine is expected to opt for Julián Quiñones as a sole centre-forward against Nashville, with Brian Rodríguez and Alejandro Zendejas flanking the Colombian on either wing.
Diego Valdés, who has missed recent games through injury, is fit enough to make the bench.
Both teams have experienced erratic form recently with Nashville squeaking through the Round of 32 with a penalty shoot out win over Cincinnati and a win over Colorado was enough to see progression in a group that also included Toluca.
America are one of the big guns in Liga MX and will have plenty of support in Geodis Park tonight. The Aguilas will miss key striker Henry Martin and be hoping to get their Leagues Cup groove up and running after a dreadful performance in Columbus where they were humbled by the Crew 4-1 in the group stage.
Club América latest results
4 August: Chicago Fire 0-1 Club América
31 July: Club América 1-4 Columbus Crew
27 July: Club América 4-0 St Louis City SC
15 July: Club América 3-0 Puebla
30 June: Club América 1-2 Juarez
Nashville latest results
4 August: Cincinnati 1-1 Nashville (Nashville on pens)
27 July: Nashville 3-4 Toluca
23 July: Nashville 2-1 Colorado
15 July: Cincinnati 3-1 Nashville
12 July: Nashville 0-2 Philadelphia
Club America will be flying for the flag for Liga MX and hoping to join fellow Mexican side Queretaro with the Gallos Blancos being the first side from south of the border to advance to the quarterfinals.
The action at the 30,000 capacity Geodis Park gets underway at 8pm ET.
Hello and welcome to our live Leagues Cup coverage as Liga MX giants Club America face Nashville in Tennessee.