Set-Piece Woes Continue as Red Bulls Drop Home Match to Nashville SC
- E Lopez
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 20
August 19, 2026 Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ
The Red Bulls returned home to Harrison to face league leading Nashville FC in hopes of jump starting their up and down season. A stoppage time header by Maxwell Woledzi doomed Red Bulls to a 1-0 loss.
Red Bull came into the match after a disappointing loss to Atlanta FC hoping for a bounce back effort against league leader Nashville FC. Red Bull looking for a result, began the match pressing early but with Nashville up to the task. The first major opportunity of the match would come for Nashville in the 23rd match as the road side would appear to have opened the scoring through Sam Surridge. The play was immediately sent for VAR review and cancelled due to offside. In the 33rd minute Red Bulls midfielder Emil Forsbeg would break through the Nashville defense, and would attempt a clever shot, which would be spectacularly redirected by Brian Scwake's outstretched left leg. With the match still scoreless, a 39th minute counterattack would provide Nashville with another golden opportunity. Nashville forward Sam Surridge would collect the ball at the midline and speed to the New York goal with his ensuing shot being easily saved by Ethan Horvath. The match would go into the break scoreless.
The second half commenced with both teams looking for the opening goal. Both managers would react with tactical changes in search of a decisive moment. Nashville would have the better of the chances. In the 74th minute a Nashville goal by Maxwell Woledzi would once again be disallowed after a lengthy VAR check. In the 82th minute Nashville star Hany Mukhtar would unleash a powerful, curling shot from outside the area, Ethan Horvath would make a spectacular save to keep the match level. When it appeared the match would end in a scoreless draw, Red Bull defender Julian Bazan would commit a tactical foul just outside the penalty box, to thwart a dangerous counterattack. On the ensuing play, forward Cristian Espinoza would whip in a free kick far post to defender Maxwell Woledzi who would head the ball into the bottom left corner for a stoppage time winner. The match would end with Nashville extending its lead in the Supporters Shield race, while New York would slip further out of a playoff position.
The disappointing season continues for Michael Bradley's side. The inability to defend on set-pieces continues to haunt the side, while the inconsistent play of certain offensive players like Julian Hall continues to be felt as the losses continue to mount. With two matches remaining in the home stand, including a weekend fixture against the Cihicago Fire and Robert Lewandowski, it is imperative that the team starts to collect points, especially at home, if they expect to contend for a playoff spot.
Red Bull New York 0, Nashville SC 1
Scoring Summary:
NSH – Maxwell Woledzi 2 (Espinoza) 90’+2’
Misconduct Summary:
NSH –Daniel Lovitz (caution, foul) 12’
NSH – Matthew Corcoran (caution, foul) 58’
NY – Julian Bazan (caution, foul) 90’+1’
Red Bull New York: Ethan Horvath; Matthew Dos Santos, Julian Bazan, Justin Che (Tim Parker, 88’), Dylan Nealis (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, 80’), Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor, Emil Forsberg © (Mohammed Sofo, 61’), Jorge Ruvalcaba, Julian Hall, Cade Cowell (Mijahir Jiménez, 61’)
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Nehuen Benedetti, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Cameron Harper, Omar Valencia
Nashville SC: Brian Schwake; Daniel Lovitz (Andy Najar, 62’), Maxwell Woiedzi, Jack Maher, Reed Baker Whiting (Josh Bauer, 86’), Elias Saad (Ahmed Qasem, 70), Matthew Corcoran (Patrick Yazbek, 70’), Edward Tageth, Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar ©, Shakur Mohammed (Cristian Espinoza, 62’)
Unused Subs: Joe Willis, Jeisson Palacios, Bryan Acosta, Alex Muyl
Match Stats:
Possession: NYRB 52% - NAS 48%
Total Shots: NYRB 13 - NAS 10
Shots on Goal: NYRB 1 - NAS 3
Fouls: NYRB 4 - NAS 11
Corners: NYRB 7 - NAS 10
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