MLS playoffs: Orlando edge Nashville to reach Eastern Conference semi-finals | MLS – USREPORT

Iván Angulo scored in the sixth minute to help second-seeded Orlando City advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on Tuesday night.

Angulo’s goal in the sixth minute was all the second-seeded Lions needed to win the second match of the best-of-three, first-round series. Orlando City also won the series opener 1-0 at home on 30 October.

Angulo intercepted a sloppy back pass inside the Nashville penalty area and split two defenders before his shot looped over the head of goalkeeper Joe Willis.

Orlando had an opportunity to add to their lead in the 37th minute, but Willis saved Angulo’s right-footed strike. Nashville finished with four shots on target but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Gallese was the standout player of the series, recording four saves on Tuesday and registering his second postseason clean sheet, both of which came against Nashville.

The win was Orlando’s third straight 1-0 win over Nashville. The Lions had won only one of their nine meetings with Nashville in all competitions before winning the last three.

Orlando City continued their stellar road form. The Lions led the MLS in away points (31) and road victories (nine) in the regular season. They are now on a run of six straight wins, with three victories coming against Nashville.

Nashville lost a knockout round match at home for the first time in club history, ending a string of seven wins and two draws in nine playoff and cup matches at home. Seventh-seeded Nashville finished the season by being shut out in six of their last seven matches.

Orlando have won three straight road matches for the first time in club history. They will face either the Columbus Crew or Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, who are tied 1-1 in their series.

Earlier in the evening, Atlanta beat Columbus 4-2, with MLS Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakoumakis scoring twice and setting up a third. The two will play the final game of the best-of-three series on 12 November.