Police detain 18 people for storming pitch at Club América-Nashville SC Leagues Cup match
Nashville police issued citations to 18 people when they stormed the pitch during Nashville SC's Leagues Cup win Tuesday against Club América.
According to The Tennesseean, a member of the USA TODAY network, 11 adults and seven children were detained by Nashville police and cited for trespassing after running on the field at Geodis Park during the Round of 16 match. The adults were reportedly between ages 23 and 56 while the children ranged from the ages of 13 and 17.
"The 18 were mostly, if not all, fans of visiting Club América," MNPD said in a statement to the publication on Wednesday. "It is the policy of Geodis Park to seek the MNPD’s assistance in prosecuting fans who come onto the field during matches."
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The game was tied 2-2 after regulation and went to penalty kicks. When Nashville's Jack Maher missed a penalty kick in the sixth round, Club América fans thought their team won and ran onto the field in celebration. One fan took a selfie with players. A security guard was injured trying to catch the fans.
In the midst of the revelry, officials ruled goalkeeper Luis Malagón jumped off the goal line too early and allowed Maher to rekick the shot. The defender converted the kick to even the score.
"I figured out that I needed to retake it pretty much when everybody else did," Maher told the media after the match. "It was one of the wildest scenes that I'd ever seen on the soccer field, with people stampeding onto the field. And I just huddled up with my group and we got really good leadership."
On the next round, Jonathan dos Santos missed his kick for the Liga MX squad and Daniel Lovitz made his, giving Nashville SC the win 6-5 on penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals.
The chaos wasn't over as fans then threw trash on the pitch after the winner was decided. Club América fans also threw trash on the field against the Chicago Fire in their Round of 32 win.
Nashville SC advances to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup and will face fellow Major League Soccer club Minnesota United at Geodis Park. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are also in the quarterfinals and will host Charlotte FC at DRV PNK Stadium. Both matches will be on Friday.