Acosta delivers, Vazquez returns, Cincinnati tops Nashville 3-1 #Acosta #delivers #Vazquez #returns #Cincinnati #tops #Nashville

CINCINNATI (AP) — Luciano Acosta had a goal and an assist and Aaron Boupendza scored in his first career appearance to rally FC Cincinnati to a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in a Saturday night match that saw Brandon Vazquez return to the winners and Nashville lose two players to red cards.

Acosta scored the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 42nd minute and then picked up an assist on defender Santiago Arias’ second netter of the season, a go-ahead score in the 74th. Boupendza, who subbed in and played 15 minutes, scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time with an assist from Vazquez, who had been playing for the United States in the Gold Cup since June 10.

Defender Walker Zimmerman staked Nashville to a 1-0 lead with his second goal this season, scoring unassisted in the 31st minute.

Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore (18) and Philadelphia Union forward Julián Carranza (9) each receive a red card during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Dániel Gazdag scored on a penalty kick in each half and the Philadelphia Union beat Nashville SC 2-0 in a match that saw three players exit in the second half due to red cards.

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) celebrates with forward Carlos Vela (10) after scoring during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Reigning league MVP Hany Mukhtar and teammate Walker Zimmerman from Nashville, LAFC scoring leader Dénis Bouanga and top newcomer Giorgos Giakoumakis highlight the 26-player roster for the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

CF Montreal defender Rudy Camacho (4) and midfielder Victor Wanyama (2) defend against Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Bryce Duke scored in the 27th minute, rookie goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois collected his seventh clean sheet and CF Montreal ended Nashville 10-match unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory.

Toronto FC Head Coach Bob Bradley yells to his team on the touch line during an MLS soccer game against Nashviulle SC in Toronto, on Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Randall Leal scored a second-half goal to help Nashville draw Toronto 1-1 on Saturday night and tie its team record of a nine-game unbeaten streak.

Nashville defender Taylor Washington picked up a second yellow card and made his exit in the 68th minute. Fafà Picault left two minutes later after receiving a second yellow card.

Roman Celantano did not make a save for Cincinnati (15-2-6). Joe Willis saved three shots for Nashville (11-8-5).

Acosta, who has 12 goals — tied for second in the league — and eight assists this season, had a goal disallowed in the 8th minute.

Cincinnati completes a season sweep of Nashville after winning 1-0 on the road earlier. Nashville is 1-1-1 in three trips to Cincinnati.

Cincinnati is 15-1-7 in its last 23 matches at home. The Supporters’ Shield leaders as the league enters a six-week layoff for other competitions have gone 28 straight at home without being shut out. It is the longest active streak and the 10th longest in league history.

Nashville has lost three in a row for the first time and dropped five of its last six after a 10-match unbeaten run. Reigning MVP Hany Mukhtar did not score for a sixth straight appearance.

When the league returns to action on Aug. 20, Nashville will host the New England Revolution. Cincinnati will travel to play the Columbus Crew.