FC Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo (5) kicks the ball past Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Luca Orellano scored off a free kick in the second half to rally FC Cincinnati to a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC on Saturday night.
Orellano found the net for the equalizer in the 52nd minute for Cincinnati (17-8-5) after Nicholas Gioacchini was fouled by Nashville’s Joshua Bauer. It was his ninth goal this season.
Nashville (8-13-9) jumped in front early when Sam Surridge used assists from defender Taylor Brennan Washington — his second — and Jonathan Pérez — his first — to score.
Luciano Acosta answered four minutes later with his 12th netter of the season to pull Cincinnati even. Orellano notched his seventh assist of the campaign on the score and Sergio Santos collected his fourth.
Nashville took a 2-1 lead into halftime after Surridge scored again in the 25th minute with an assist from Hany Mukhtar. It was the 11th goal this season for Surridge and the ninth assist for Mukhtar.
Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) lets shot on goal get past to score during the second half of an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Joe Willis saved three shots in goal for Nashville.
Roman Celentano did not have a save for Cincinnati.
Cincinnati returns home to host Los Angeles FC on Saturday. Nashville travels to play the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Nashville SC midfielder Anibal Godoy, left, kicks the ball past FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, right, kicks the ball past FC Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, left, chases the ball past FC Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC midfielder Anibal Godoy, left, leaps over FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson, right, as they chase the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC midfielder Jonathan Perez, left, and FC Cincinnati midfielder Yamil Asad (27) battle for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem, right, heads the ball past Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore (18) heads the ball over FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati forward Yuya Kubo, below, collides with Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem, left, pushes Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge, right, to the pitch during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati midfielder Luca Orellano, right, moves the ball past Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington (23) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati forward Nicholas Gioacchini, left, kicks the ball past Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman (25) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati forward Sergio Santos, center, kicks the ball past Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek (15) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) and midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) celebrate a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) celebrates a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge, right, moves the ball past FC Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo (5) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) celebrates a goal with defender Chidozie Awaziem, second from right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
