Luca Orellano scores on second-half free kick to rally Cincinnati to 2-2 draw with Nashville

By The Associated Press

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)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/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. 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 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.