Nashville SC forward C.J. Sapong, right, celebrates his goal against Orlando City during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - C.J. Sapong scored his fourth goal in the last three games and helped Nashville to a 1-1 tie with Orlando City on Wednesday night.
Sapong ran onto a misplayed pass by João Moutinho, raced beyond midfield and tapped it to Hany Mukhtar, who passed it back to Sapong at the top of the box. The 32-year-old Sapong, who has nine goals this season, did a 360-degree turn and then fell to the ground as he ripped a low ball inside the post to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Nashville (7-2-11) moved a point ahead of New York City FC for second in the Eastern Conference standings with 32. New England leads the conference with 46 points, the most in MLS. Orlando City and Philadelphia are tied with NYCFC with 31.
Antônio Carlos headed home a free kick by Mauricio Pereyra for Orlando City (8-4-7) to make it 1-1 in the 58th minute.
Nashville's Joe Willis - whose eight shutouts this season are tied for most in MLS - made a leaping one-handed stop in the 47th minute and Orlando City's Tesho Akindele bounced a header off the crossbar in the 75th.
Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, top, collides with Orlando City defender Kyle Smith (24) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville SC forward C.J. Sapong (17) goes for a header with Orlando City defender Antonio Carlos (25) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Associated Press
Orlando City defender Antonio Carlos (25) celebrates his goal against Nashville SC during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Associated Press
Orlando City midfielder Junior Urso (11) goes for a header next to Nashville SC forward Daniel Rios (14) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Associated Press