Nashville SC started off their 2019 campaign with a win, beating Loudoun United by a score of 2-0. In addition to our other coverage, we recap individual performances each week.





Guidelines:

- A rating of 6 denotes and average performance. Each player starts out with a 6 and their performance either adds or subtracts from that rating.

- Scores are determined by looking at the stats and are the averaged total of each Speedway member's ratings.

- Players must have been on the pitch for at least 10 minutes to receive a score. Players who come on later than the 80th minute are ineligible for a rating.









RATINGS





Matt Pickens - 7.5: He wasn't called on to do a lot, but made three saves and didn't make any mistakes on a tricky playing surface.





Kosuke Kimura - 7.0: Pushed really high up the pitch and linked well with the attackers. His service in the box didn't connect, but that will come as the attack builds chemistry.





Ken Tribbett - 7.5: A quiet night defensively, but was assured with his passing, completing 92% of his passes and moving the ball quickly.





Liam Doyle - 8.0: Was a little riskier with the ball than Tribbett, hitting a couple beautiful diagonals. Assured positionally, popping up in key areas and shutting down Loudoun attacks before they became dangerous.





Taylor Washington - 7.0: Like Kimura, pushed up high. He put in some really great service into the box, and was unfortunate that the forwards didn't get on the end. Got the unofficial assist for Ríos's goal after Calle Brown fumbled his cross. A typically energetic performance.





Matt LaGrassa - 7.5: Played as the 8 in a 4-2-3-1, and covered a lot of ground. Passed ambitiously and did a lot of dirty work defensively, making 7 tackles. He'll probably lose his spot when Reed comes back from injury, but he won't make it an easy decision for Gary Smith.





Bolu Akinyode - 7.0: Executed his role well, passing the ball efficiently (98.4% completed), recycling possession, and making a couple key interceptions. He's not flashy, but he's crucial to this team by allowing other players to get forward with confidence.





Cameron Lancaster - 8.0: Surprisingly started on the right of a front four, and actually hugged the touchline a good bit in the first half. Moved more centrally after the break, and was much more effective in that role. Opened the scoring with a beautiful flicked header at the near post on a corner kick. Brown could have done better with the looping header, but it was a well placed, audacious finish. Came off after 71 minutes, but not before getting his Nashville career off to a great start.





Lebo Moloto - 7.0: Missed an empty net from about 2 yards out in the first 3 minutes of the match. It was a pretty unacceptable miss from a player of his quality, but he rebounded well and had a solid night otherwise. Operated in a free role underneath Ríos, and picked out some impressive passes through Loudoun's lines.





Kharlton Belmar - 8.5: Man of the Match. Ran circles around Peabo Doue and put in some great service. Had a few chances denied by last ditch tackles, and put in a high-energy shift on both flanks. His signing was a little overshadowed by Lancaster and Ríos, but his impact on this side will be massive.





Daniel Ríos - 8.0: Played as the loan striker and linked play really well. His touch is incredibly clean, and he passed creatively. Turned a difficult half chance into Nashville's second goal, displaying the kind of finishing ability that earned him an MLS contract. Came off after 81 minutes.





SUBS:





Justin Davis - 7.0: Replaced Cameron Lancaster after 71 minutes. Played as a left center back/left back and helped secured the clean sheet for Nashville.





Tucker Hume - N/A: Replaced Daniel Ríos after 81 minutes. Held the ball up well and came close to adding a third, blasting his shot just over Loudoun's bar.





Ramone Howell - N/A: Replaced Kharlton Belmar in the 90th minute and had no time to get involved.

MANAGER:





Gary Smith - 7.0: Beat a team he was supposed to beat, kept a clean sheet, and found ways to get talent on the field together.

How do you think Nashville SC did? Comment on this post or let us know on Twitter .



