Gary Smith's Nashville SC went toe-to-toe with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final, missing out on the trophy 1-1 (10-9 in pens.) - but he wasn't disappointed with his team's effort at GEODIS Park.
Even though Miami rocked up to the Music City with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the home side created the better chances on the night. A moment of brilliance from Miami's No. 10 was what separated the two sides, as Messi proved once again that he reigns supreme in the sport.
"I would honestly say my first emotions are that we were the better team tonight," Smith said to MLS Season Pass reporter Katie Witham. "We created the better chances. And to be perfectly honest, if it wasn't for the man of the moment in their group, we would have won tonight. The goal that he scored is just incredible, out of nothing, and with his only other shot on goal he hits the post."
Smith's side is typically seen as a defensive unit, and despite only having 42% possession against Miami, Nashville totaled 11 shots to the Herons' six. The Boys in Gold kept Messi at bay, according to Smith:
"I'm delighted in particular with how we denied [Messi] space," Smith said. "What I would take away from it is this: There are moments in the game where he's just unplayable. There are windows where it's almost impossible to deal with what he is wanting to do."
Smith believes that although they didn't reach their goal of lifting the Leagues Cup trophy, the competition itself helped his side get back to the basics ahead of MLS playoffs later this year.
"The positives to come out of this, I think we can underline again the caliber of some of the players in the group. Certainly the ability to adapt and to compete against multiple opponents, not just tonight, but against some exceptionally good opponents," he said.
As painful as losing a final is, especially at home, Nashville will look to rebound in MLS play when they take on Atlanta United on August 26 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"Slowly but surely, over the course of this tournament, we've got ourselves back into a more positive groove, and I'm hoping, of course, we can take that into our league play now."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Gary Smith believes Nashville deserved more from Leagues Cup final defeat to Inter Miami.
