Nashville asserts Eastern Conference superiority against Charlotte FC

Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek scored goals Saturday night as visiting Nashville SC controlled the run of play for a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC.

Billed as an early showdown of Eastern contenders, it was instead a sermon on why many feel Nashville (5-1-1, 16 points) might stay atop the conference table most of the year. It answered questions as to its worthiness offensively in road fixtures by hogging the ball and taking most of the shots.

Nashville finished with major advantages in possession time (55.7-44.3) and shots on goal (7-4) while boasting an 13-9 edge in total shots. When Charlotte (3-2-2, 11 points) was able to generate quality chances, goalie Brian Schwake was able to repel nearly everything.

Schwake stood tall in the 65th minute when Charlotte was poised to pull a goal back and get within one. Referee Rubiel Vazquez sent Idan Toklomati to the spot after Daniel Lovitz fouled him, but Schwake denied Toklomati's penalty kick.

Charlotte avoided the shutout in the 90th minute on its second penalty kick, with Archie Goodwin converting into the bottom left corner. However, it couldn't get a shot on frame during stoppage time to salvage a draw.

Nashville took the lead for good in the 14th minute through a nice buildup in the midfield and a thundering shot from Tagseth. Yazbek flicked a pass behind him and Tagseth wired a shot off the hand of goalie Kristijan Kahlina into the top right corner.

It was the first goal for Tagseth in 39 career matches with Nashville. It held up as the halftime score as Nashville owned the ball more than 61% of the time.

After setting up Tagseth, Yazbek made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Taking the ball deep on the left flank on Nashville's half of the pitch, Yazbek dribbled all the way to the top of the box while angling to his right. Given all that space and time, Yazbek unleashed a shot that deflected off a defender and nestled into the left side of the net.

--Field Level Media