On Sunday night in Nashville, the SC United Bantams played their first away game of 2017 and fell to the undefeated U23 side in yellow, 2–0.

Both teams came into the game as the only two remaining undefeated teams in the South Atlantic Division. Of course, the Bantams had only played one previous match in the PDL, while Nashville already had 3 PDL games under their belt. The Bantams made just two changes from their starting line up that resulted in a 1–0 win over Tri-Cities FC earlier in the week: they started Joe Vyner and Jamie McNicholas.

The first half was just about as entertaining as a 0–0 half can be. It was very balanced with both teams creating good chances, but neither were able to capitalize.

SC United took a couple of long shots outside the box that were just off target. One shot from Davis (great first name) Bryan in the 31st minute was so close to being SNST Goal of the Week, but it flew just high.

Possibly the best chance the Bantams had all night came in the 42nd minute when Jose Cubillan passed the ball from the middle of the field over to Joe Vyner on the right. Vyner then shot a lead pass in front of Koty Millard who flew down the right touchline. Millard got the ball and then crossed it into the box for Bradlee Baladez. Unfortunately for the Bantams, both the defender marking Baladez and the Nashville keeper put enough pressure on him and Baladez couldn’t put a clean shot on goal. Now that I think of it, that would have been a nominee for goal of the week too had they pulled it off just because of the beautiful passing buildup.

The second half started out the way the whole first half was played. Both sides had chances, but couldn’t convert.

Sadly for SC United, that changed in the 69th minute. Martim Galvao put a free kick into the box from the 40 yard line (football lines on a soccer field confuse me, but, that’s PDL), but it was headed out by a SC defender for a corner. Then, Galvao took the corner and connected with center back Kyle McLagan who headed it in to put Nashville up 1–0 with a little less than a third of the game to go.

The Bantams fought hard to try to get the equalizer, but then in the 80th minute that became a bit more difficult. On another set piece, Galvao connected with McLagan for another headed goal. McLagan was right on the line of staying onside, and I’m not sure if there was miscommunication for the Bantams or what, but he was wide open to receive the ball and there was nothing the keeper could do.

Kyle McLagan scoring his second goal. (Photo Credit: Jay Wilkinson/Nashville SC)

After that, Nashville got into a bit of time wasting mode, which… I don’t blame them. I do the same thing when I’m up by a goal or two when I’m playing Benji in FIFA just to make him mad. There was nothing the Bantams could do to get back in the game. The game finished at 2–0 for Nashville.

My Players of the Game

I’m not really a tactics guy. We have some great guys here at SNST who are, but I am just a dude who loves watching soccer and wants to learn more about the teams in our areas. I don’t really have stats or analysis for this game, but a player or two stood out to me for SC United in the loss.

First was goalkeeper Ian McGrane. I didn’t feel like he had to stand on his head or anything, but he was quite good in my opinion. I was shocked when I did look it up and he had 3 saves: it felt like more. But the way he positioned himself in situations, and the saves he did make were quite good.

When the score was still 0–0 in the 60th minute, Nashville’s Alex Stoiljkovic passed the ball perfectly between two SC defenders (one may have gotten a foot to the ball on the way through couldn’t quite tell with the camera). Logan Paynter just had to beat the keeper to put Nashville up a goal, but McGrane recognized what was going on and put himself in position straight away to where Paynter didn’t have a good shot at all. He took his shot, and McGrane deflected the ball out of play.

Ian McGrane being awesome. (Photo Credit: Jay Wilkinson/Nashville SC)

And my second MOTM for SCU was Koty Millard. He seemed like he was all over the field. It took me a while to figure out what position he was actually playing (and I’m honestly still not 100% on that) because dude was everywhere! He played with so much intensity, and he did help set up what I felt was the best chance of the match by running down the touch line at 100 mph and then sending that cross in. Dude was super impressive to me.

I’m sure SC United will be disappointed with the loss, but there was a lot to be proud of in the loss. They played well against the top team in the division, one that’s undefeated too. I’m sure Coach Lee Morris will have lots to talk with the team about to get them ready for their games this week.

The SC United Bantams continue their road trip this week as they travel to South Georgia Tormenta on Wednesday night at 8pm. Then, they return home to host the second place Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, June 3rd at 7pm. I will actually be traveling down to watch that one so I hope to meet some Bantams fans there! (editor’s note: if you see this guy, say hi.)

We’ll have more SC United coverage here at SNST in the weeks to come. Make sure to read my interview with Lee Morris, and stay tuned on Twitter at @SoccerNSweetTea for more Carolina soccer updates. Thanks for reading!