Nashville SC maintained their standing in the Eastern Conference with a gritty 1-0 win at Birmingham Legion FC thanks to a Daniel Rios penalty while Swope Park Rangers and Memphis 901 FC dueled to a 2-2 draw at Children’s Mercy Park. In Western Conference action, Fresno FC defeated Austin Bold FC after a late winner from forward Qudus Luwal tipped the scales in the Foxes’ favor.
FRESNO, Calif.– Fresno FC left it late but an 84th minute winner from forward Qudus Luwal earned his side the three points at Chukchansi Park on Wednesday. Fresno nearly opened the scoring after just nine minutes when forward Christian Chaney found himself through on goal only to be bested by a sliding Bold FC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo inside the penalty area. Foxes forward Jamie Chávez then had another good chance to test Restrepo in the 70th minute when he was played through on goal but couldn’t manage to put an effort on frame from a narrow angle. Patience would pay off for the hosts, though, as midfielder Diego Casillas followed some shifty footwork with a short cross for Luwal to flick off the underside of the bar and in. The goal was Luwal’s fourth in the last three matches.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Qudus Luwal, Fresno FC – Luwal’s game winner after 84 minutes earns him man of the match but the Nigerian also created two chances for the hosts.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Nashville SC traveled to Birmingham and defeated Legion FC thanks to a Daniel Rios spot kick just after the hour-mark in a tight USL Championship Game of the Week on ESPN. Nashville’s best opportunity in the first half came after 12 minutes when Daniel Rios picked up a pass near the top of the box and squared it for midfielder Kharlton Belmar, but the playmaker could only force a great save from Trevor Spangenberg with his effort. The hosts had a good look of their own in the 39th minute when Legion FC forward J.J. Williams flicked a pass for forward Chandler Hoffman to latch onto, but Matt Pickens was prepared at his near post and parried the effort away. After the hour mark, Nashville midfielder Alan Winn was brought down by Legion FC defender Femi Hollinger-Janzen to earn a penalty and Rios rifled an effort dead center towards the roof of the net to give the visitors the goal they needed.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Daniel Rios, Nashville SC – Rios created three chances and scored the team’s lone goal to give Nashville an important three points away from home.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Swope Park Rangers and Memphis 901 FC traded leads before eventually settling for a point apiece in the four-goal thriller. The visitors were quick on the board just three minutes in when captain Marc Burch swung in a gifted corner to the back post where midfielder Dan Metzger met it and swept it in from close range past Swope Park goalkeeper Eric Dick. Striking back before the break, Swope Park captain Camden Riley scored from the spot after a penalty was awarded following a challenge from Memphis defender Abdi Mohamed. Swope Park would then take the lead in the 68th minute when a clever combination between forward Sean Karani and defender Alexsander Andrade resulted in the latter rolling a ball across where defender Mark Segbers was there to tap home. However, Memphis would have the final say when defender Tristan Hodge rose to meet a Cameron Lindley corner and nod a headed effort towards the far post and in.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Mark Segbers, Swope Park Rangers – In addition to his goal, Segbers won four of five aerial duels and 10 in total while also winning four tackles and recording five clearances in the draw.