Nashville earn 1−1 draw with Philadelphia in grand opening

NASHVILLE: Randall Leal scored on a penalty kick in the 85th minute and Nashville SC opened GEODIS Park and gained a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union in MLS action on Sunday.

The tie extended Nashville’s home unbeaten streak to 20 - the seventh longest run in league history. Nashville (3-3-3) was unbeaten in its last 19 matches at Nissan Stadium. The new park - with a seating capacity of 30,000 - is the largest socceronly venue in this country and Canada. Nashville opened the season with eight straight matches on the road. The Union (5-1-3), who entered play atop the Eastern Conference standings, grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute on a goal by Mikael Uhre.

Leal scored the equalizer ater Philadelphia’s Jose Martinez was called for a handball in the box on Nashville’s 12th corner kick of the match.

Nashville outshot the Union 13-9 with a 7-5 edge in shots on goal.

Joe Willis saved four of the five shots he faced for Nashville. Andre Blake had five saves for the Union.

Meanwhile, Ryan Hollingshead broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 82nd minute, José Cifuentes scored in the final minute of full time and Los Angeles FC regained the top spot in the Western Conference with a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United in MLS play on Sunday night.

LAFC (7-1-1) moved two points ahead of secondplace Austin FC with the win. LAFC has scored multiple goals in six of its seven victories this season.

Danny Musovski notched an assist on Hollingshead’s game-winner. Diego Palacios and Francisco Ginella had assists on Cifuentes’ insurance score.

LAFC outshot Minnesota United (4-3-2) 22-6 with a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.

Maxime Crepeau saved the only shot he faced for LAFC. Dayne St. Clair saved three of the five shots he faced for United.

Earlier, Patryk Klimala scored two goals late in the second half and the New York Red Bulls became just the second team in MLS history to open a season with five straight road wins ater rallying for a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire.

Klimala neted the game-winner for the Red Bulls (5-2-2) on a penalty kick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time - taking his own shot ater he was fouled in the box.

The Fire (2-3-4) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute and ended a 385-minute goal drought when Xherdan Shaqiri nailed a penalty kick ater Ashley Fletcher was called for a handball in the box.