Full-time!
FT And the final whistle sounds as Nashville record a memorable victory to advance in the MLS Playoffs to a date with second seed Toronto. They were simply magnificent from start to finish.
A disappointing season comes to an end for Inter Miami. Considering the expectations they had before the season began, their effort tonight typifies the type of inaugural campaign it's been for them in MLS.
This is John Lupo saying stay tuned to VAVEL for more coverage of the MLS Playoffs. I'll be back with you on Sunday as fourth seed Minnesota hosts fifth seed Colorado in the first round.
Until then, take care and so long everyone.
Rios tries again!
89' This time the Nashville midfielder gets his shot on goal, but McCarthy pulls off a fine save.
Nashville with a late chance
88' Daniel Rios gets close to the Inter Miami penalty area, has a little room to shoot and takes it on only to see his effort blocked.
Nashvile substitution
80' The hosts are making their last change of the night as Alex Washington replaces Muyl.
Nashville chance
79' McCarty floats in a pass for Dan Lovitz, but he blazes over.
Nashville substitution
74' Godot is off after a nasty collision. Tah Anunga replaces him.
Miami still searching for a goal
69' The latest attempts have Pizarro and Ambrose shooting, but neither one of them is able to hit the target.
Nashville triple change
67' Gary Smith is using all of his subs at once here as Daniel Rios replaces Jhonder Cadiz, Handwalla Bwanna comes on for Randall Leal and Derrick Jones is subbed in for Mukhtar.
Herons on top
65' More chances for the visitors as first Morgan crosses for Powell, who goes wide followed by Pellegrini drawing another save out of Willis.
Miami go close again
65' It's likely a case of too little, too late as Pellegrini tests Willis from close range, but the Nashville keeper is up to the challenge.
Miami creating more chances
63' Finally some work for Willis in the Nashville net as he saves Morgan's shot.
Inter Miami substitutions
62' Inter Miami are looking for some sort of spark, so they'll make a double change as Victor Ulloa comes on for Trapp while Julian Carranza replaces Agudelo.
Nashville add a third!
57' With literally no Miami player in the general vicinity, Dax McCarty picks up the loose ball at the halfway line, sprints to about 18 yard away and unleashes one that flies past McCarthy. Nashville can begin thinking about Toronto in the next round.
Golden chance for Inter Miami!
49' What a breathtaking sequence from the Herons as Mikey Ambrose delivers a brilliant pass to Pellegrini, who makes an absolute mess of a chance.
Halftime
HT The halftime whistle blows and not a moment too soon for Inter Miami. They've been run off the Nissan Stadium pitch by Nashville courtesy of a wonder goal by Leal and a Mukhtar penalty. If these first 45 minutes are any indication, it's unlikely anything will change.
One extra minute
45' The referee signals for one minute of added time.
Another chance for visitors
45' This time Tripp finds Morgan, who sees his attempt blocked.
Miami half-chance
41' There hasn't been much in the way of chances for Alonso's side, but Alvas Powell has a go, which isn't on target.
New England advances
40' With this lull in the action, we'd like to say congratulations to New England, who got a 95th minute goal from Gustavo Rou to advance to the first round where they will face the top seeded Philadelphia Union.
Inter Miami substitution
33' Diego Alonso makes his first change of the game as Matias Pellegrini replaces Dylan Nealis.
Miami yellow card
31' Wil Trapp is booked after a high challenge on Jhonder Cadiz.
Wasted chance by Miami!
30' Prior to the yellow card, Lewis Morgan had sent in a free kick that was headed towards Claudio Pizarro, but he couldn't get on the end of it. A real shame there.
Nashville yellow card
30' Alistair Johnston has his name taken.
Nashville double their lead!
GOAL! 24' Mukhtar makes no mistake as he sends a right-footed shot past McCarthy.
Penalty given!
22' This time the hosts ARE given a penalty after beat build-up play involving Leal, Luyl and Mukhtar, who eventually is fouled by McCarthy after being played in on goal.
Penalty claims waved away
17' MiamI seems to be having trouble dealing with Nashville's direct style of play and a lovely ball over the top and Mukhtar appears to be fouled by Powell, but no penalty is given.
Hosts take the lead!
GOAL! 14' What a way to open your account in the playoffs! After Miami knocked it down, the ball eventually found Leal, who blasted a shot from about 30 yards away, giving Herons goalkeeper John McCarthy no chance.
Nashville go close!
6' Leal is back from international duty with Costa Rica and he makes his presence felt with a shot that unfortunately goes over the crossbar.
First yellow of the night
5' Dylan Nealis is shown the first card of the evening.
Nashville SC starting roster
4-2-3-1: Willis; Johnston, Romney, Lovitz, Zimmerman; Godoy, McCarty; Mukhtar, Leal, Muyl; Jhonder
Inter Miami starting roster
5-4-1: McCarthy; Nealis, Delagarza, Figal, Ambrose, Powell; Trapp, Matuidi, Pizarro, Morgan; Agudelo
So long for now!
That's it for me for now. I'll be back as kickoff approaches. So long and take care.
How to watch Nashville SC vs Inter Miami CF
You can watch the match on ESPN2 with kickoff set for 9pm Eastern time, but stick with me for all the action.
Gary Smith pre-match comments
The Nashville manager gave his thoughts on Miami's inaugural season in MLS. “I would suspect that there's probably a little bit more disappointment in their camp in the way that things have gone this year," he said.
“However, they've certainly finished the season and off in a decent run, and they've clinched that final spot, so they’ll be dangerous, there’s no doubt about it. We’re by no means taking this game lightly and shouldn’t be.”
Diego Alonso pre-match comments
The Inter Miami manager knows what type of challenge Nashville presents. " It’s a big challenge for us, we feel very happy to be in the playoffs. We’ve worked very hard for a long period of time to be able to get here and I think we have a big opportunity to continue fighting for our dreams.
“Nashville is a team with really good characteristics, defending well well from the start of the season and then adding a lot of positive play with the ball. I think they’re a dangerous team and we should be alert to their abilities, such as the counterattack and set pieces.”
Head-to-head
The two previous meetings between the two expansion sides didn't produce many goals with Anibal Godoy scoring the only one in Nashville's 1-0 victory on August 31st while the two teams played out a 0-0 draw a week later.
Nashville SC predicted roster
4-2-3-1: Willis; Johnston, Romney, Zimmerman, Lovitz; Godoy, McCarty; Mukhtar, Jones, Muyl; Rios
Inter Miami predicted roster
4-2-3-1: McCarthy; Nealis, Makoun, Figal, JR; Trapp, Matuidi; Pellegrini, Pizarro, Morgan; Carranza
Nashville SC team news
Midfielder Randall Leal is away on international duty for Costa Rica while Dominique Badji and Abu Danladi are still sidelined.
Inter Miami team news
The Herons were dealt a big blow when it was revealed that Gonzalo Higuain, his brother Federico and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, starting goalkeeper Luis Robles is out after fracturing his right arm and will be replaced by John McCarthy while George Acosta and Denso Ulysse remain sidelined.
Inter Miami FC season in review
The Herons barely snuck into the playoffs with a 7-13-3 record, edging Chicago by one point for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Nashville SC season in review
Gary Smith's club went 8-8-7 during the regular season and finished in a three-way tie with New York Red Bulls and New England in their first season in MLS.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to this first MLS playoff game of 2020 as Nashville SC hosts Inter Miami.
My name is John Lupo and I'll be your host for this knockout round matchup between these two expansion teams.