Nashville, Red Bulls kick off season with scoreless draw

Nashville’s Joe Willis and Carlos Coronel of the New York Red Bulls both opened the season with clean sheets in a scoreless season opener on Sunday.

Willis had three of his four saves in the first half for Nashville. Coronel did not face a shot on target before intermission. Coronel wasn’t tested until he saved a header by Teal Bunbury in the 58th minute. He finished with three saves.

The Red Bulls’ Franuel Amaya hit the cross bar on a shot in the 63rd minute.

New York improves to 2-0-3 all time versus Nashville and 13-10-6 in all time in openers.

The last time these two clubs squared off John Tolkin scored on a late penalty kick in a 1-0 victory on Decision Day, sending the Red Bulls to the playoffs for a league-record 14th straight season.

The Red Bulls stay on the road to play the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. Nashville travels to play the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.