18 Fans Cited for Rushing Field During Nashville SC Match

According to police, “mostly, if not all, fans” were part of the visiting team facing the MLS club.

Eighteen fans who attended the Leagues Cup matchup between Nashville SC and Mexico’s Club America on Tuesday were cited for trespassing after rushing the field in celebration that was later overturned due to an infraction.

Of the 18, Metro Nashville Police said Wednesday in a statement that 11 were adults and seven were children who were “mostly, if not all, fans of visiting Club America,” per The Tennessean.

Nashville SC and Club America ended regulation deadlocked 2-2, forcing penalty kicks. After three penalty shootouts to make the score 4-4, it appeared that Club America had secured the victory when Nashville SC’s Jack Maher’s shot was blocked, prompting some fans of the visiting club to storm the field at Geodis Park.

However, after an official observed a video review of the save by America goalkeeper Luis Malagón, it was ruled that he stepped off his line before Maher fired his shot, allowing Nashville another opportunity to score.

As a result, on the next penalty kick, Maher converted on a shot to his right to keep the club alive. Moments later, Jonathan Dos Santos nailed a shot off the crossbar, giving Nashville a 6-5 victory in penalties and advancing the club to the League Cup quarterfinals.

Nashville SC’s win led to America fans—that included children between the ages of 13 and 17 and adults between 23 and 56—to throw cups and debris on the field, per the Tennessean.