wasn’t involved for his security. Truly, he thought it may need been enjoyable.
On Aug. 8, 2023, Lovitz and his teammates braved a storm of trash as they walked towards the locker room at Geodis Park after beating Membership América to advance to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup. Indignant América followers in protest of a match they felt was stolen from them. Then-NSC coach Gary Smith stood tall amidst the particles and pumped his fists.
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“I felt like King Leonidas in ‘300’ with the arrows coming down,” Lovitz instructed the Tennessean. “It was a extremely cool second. … (Philadelphia Eagles normal supervisor) Howie Roseman, when the Eagles received the Tremendous Bowl, received hit within the head with a full beer. He had, like, a hoop gash on his head, and he wore it like a badge of honor. Possibly we have been prepared for one thing like that.”
Three years later, Nashville will face América as soon as once more, this time within the . NSC will host the primary leg on April 7 (7 p.m.) with the second leg set for April 14 on the storied Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis.
Aug 8, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz (2) celebrates the successful penalty aim together with his teammates in opposition to the Membership America through the second half at GEODIS Park. Necessary Credit score: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Simply seven gamers on Nashville’s roster stay from 2023, however the epic victory over Mexico’s most profitable membership of all time nonetheless reverberates.
“That was one of many greatest video games we have ever performed in,” defender Jack Maher instructed the Tennessean. “… It was one of many first instances that we ever received to play in opposition to a Liga MX aspect, and with the ability to present that we can’t solely compete, however go and finally win the sport on penalty kicks, it gave our membership quite a lot of momentum.”
Added Lovitz: “I do know quite a lot of NSC followers that got here away from that have saying it was essentially the most thrilling and most pleasurable sports activities recreation they’d ever been to. … There is a fairly good environment and temperature surrounding the matchup.”
Nashville got here in because the plucky upstart, dealing with an enormous with over a century of historical past and greater than 40 trophies. América could be essentially the most supported membership in North America, and that night time at Geodis, it wasn’t onerous to see why: Lovitz stated it did not actually really feel like taking part in at house.
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Nonetheless, Nashville hung powerful, and opened the scoring with Walker Zimmerman’s 61st-minute aim. However América’s Diego Valdés responded within the 78th, and Julián Quiñones put the guests on prime 4 minutes into stoppage time.
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: German Berterame #19 of Inter Miami CF and Jeisson Palacios #4 of Nashville SC compete for the ball through the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: German Berterame #19 of Inter Miami CF and Jeisson Palacios #4 of Nashville SC compete for the ball through the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF enters the pitch previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Hany Mukhtar #10 of Nashville SC leads the staff out previous to previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF enters the pitch previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF greets Andy Najar #31 of Nashville SC previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF warms up previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Hany Mukhtar #10 of Nashville SC warms up previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
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Greatest photographs from Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF warms up previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Chris Carter/Getty Photographs)
When he subbed on within the 63rd minute to make his Nashville debut, was merely the staff’s latest $6 million signing, at a time when recollections of failed designated participant strikers Jhonder Cádiz and Aké Loba have been nonetheless contemporary. Surridge was removed from an MLS All-Star, MVP finalist and membership file holder for targets in a season, however he might no less than be hero for an evening.
9 minutes into stoppage time, Dax McCarty despatched an extended ball downfield towards Hany Mukhtar, who reeled it in on the run. Mukhtar dribbled out extensive, timed his cross and located an onrushing Surridge, who tied the sport with a header to drive a penalty shootout.
“I feel there have been quite a lot of eyebrows raised and folks able to make their judgments on Sam when he entered that recreation,” Lovitz stated. “For him to ship on that stage was fairly improbable. I do know he needs he was extra constant over his early time right here. He is onerous on himself. However that was an awesome first knowledge level for what he would finally obtain.”
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Each groups made 4 of their first 5 penalties. Alvaro Fidalgo scored, placing the strain on Maher to increase the sport. He aimed for the low proper nook, however Luis Malagón dove the identical manner.
América gamers went wild. Some followers . However the recreation wasn’t over, and Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco was certainly one of, if not the primary, to note. Whereas Maher appeared on, surprised, Panicco walked over to referee Selvin Brown and instructed him Malagón had left his line early.
Lovitz had no thought what was happening as followers stormed the pitch. It quickly dawned on him that Brown and his crew have been checking Malagón’s save. Maher, nonetheless feeling as if he let his staff down, waited for what felt to him like an “eternity” for VAR to resolve.
When Brown dominated Malagón was off his line, Nashville had new life. Maher thought again to a recreation he performed as a teen the place he took three penalties and scored on all three of them, hitting the very same spot on every one.
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“I used to be like, if it labored once I was 13 years outdated, I feel it is gonna work now,” Maher stated. “That was my logic on going again to the identical spot. I did not care. I felt like sufficient thoughts video games have been performed.”
Maher’s instinct was appropriate. He aimed proper as soon as extra, and Malagón dove the opposite manner. América’s Jonathan Dos Santos then hit the crossbar, and Lovitz fired his game-winning kick over Malagón’s outstretched arm and into the web.
Lovitz did not have fun. Not instantly, no less than. He jogged away whereas his teammates rushed towards him, took a fast look again on the referees, and when Panicco embraced him, he lastly cracked a smile.
Through the years, Lovitz has gotten good-natured grief for his muted response. However, he explains, he wished to be 100% certain the sport was over earlier than letting his feelings take over. In any case, he had seen what had occurred simply moments earlier.
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