Watch: Nashville SC goes from eliminated to victorious in crazy finish
The Leagues Cup has delivered plenty of entertainment during the MLS summer break, from Messi's seven goals in four games to Charlotte FC's improbable run to the quarterfinals.
But those storylines can't top Nashville SC's wild shootout against Mexico's Club America on Tuesday in Nashville.
Nashville had already survived an almost-certain loss once, leveling the game at 2-2 in the 99th minute after Club America had scored from the spot to take the lead in the 92nd.
Five sets of penalty kicks followed, with Nashville and Club America both scoring four and missing one. Per FIFA regulations, that meant the shootout was heading to sudden death. The next team to lose a set of penalties would automatically lose the match.
Club America netted its first shot to keep the game alive. But Nashville's Jack Maher rolled his shot right at goalkeeper Luis Malagón, who blocked it with ease — and handed the victory to Club America.
Club America went wild. Its fans broke the stadium barriers and streamed onto the field in celebration. But after 10 minutes of revelry, the referee blew his whistle and announced a twist: that Malagón had broken the rules and stepped off his line to save Nashville's shot. The penalty was null and void and a retake was necessary.
Confused and protesting, the Club America players pulled themselves back together and lined up to watch Maher fire his second shot clear past Malagón to keep the game alive.
Jonathan dos Santos stepped up for Club America to take the next penalty, and in a shocking turn of events, he blasted it off the crossbar and into the crowd. Nashville's home fans erupted while its players pumped each other up on the field. If it could score one more penalty, it would snatch victory.
Daniel Lovitz, Nashville's left-sided defender, stepped up to the challenge. He fired his shot straight into the back netting and — impossibly, unpredictably — took Nashville straight into the quarterfinals.
Nashville will face Minnesota United in the quarterfinal Friday. For the sake of its fans' nerves, let's hope things are a little more straightforward against the Loons.
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