Red Bulls blank Nashville SC in home opener

Mohammed Sofo and Emil Forsberg scored in the first period as the New York Red Bulls enjoyed a successful home opener with a 2-0 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.

After honoring last season's team for winning the second Eastern Conference title in franchise history, the Red Bulls (1-1-0, 3 points) withstood the absence of Lewis Morgan. The midfielder, who scored 13 goals and won the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award, was injured during practice earlier this week.

Sofo replaced Morgan and the 20-year-old netted his first career MLS goal in his second career game on a rebound in the seventh minute.

Following a misplay by Nashville defender Jack Maher in the middle of the box, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting rang a shot off the crossbar. The rebound popped out to Sofo, who used his right foot to put the rebound into the middle of the net past goalie Joe Willis.

Forsberg scored in the 30th minute with a nifty move after his shot was inadvertently blocked by Sofo seconds earlier.

Omar Valencia gained possession along the lower right side of the field and dished the ball to Forsberg. Forsberg made a stutter step against Nashville defender Andy Najar and hooked a right-footed shot that easily found the top-left corner of the net.

Nashville had a goal by Ahmed Qasem disallowed in the 64th minute when officials ruled he was offside. The team's first shot was a header by Walker Zimmerman toward the end of first-half stoppage time, it didn't get another shot on target until the 86th minute, when Sam Surridge's shot was easily stopped by New York goalie Carlos Coronel.

Coronel made two saves, and Willis had three.

Nashville was blanked for the second straight week and did little while holding possession for 54.4 percent of the contest. Nashville had 11 shots but five were blocked, and four other attempts missed the net.

--Field Level Media