NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 17, 2023) – Nashville Soccer Club extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches in all competition with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami CF in front of 25,839 fans at GEODIS Park on Wednesday night. Winger Fafà Picault scored the opening goal in the 33rd minute after a spectacular assist from Hany Mukhtar [WATCH] and defender Lukas MacNaughton scored his first career MLS goal in the 49th minute to secure the victory [WATCH].
GEODIS Park Is A Fortress: Nashville SC improved its home record to 5W-1L-2D in league play, while outscoring its opponents 13-4.
First Career Goal: Lukas MacNaughton scored his first career MLS goal tonight in the 49th minute off a header in the box from a pass delivered by Shaq Moore. MacNaughton has made three starts for Nashville SC since being acquired from Toronto FC.
Mukhtar The Magnificent: Reigning 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar recorded his six assist of the season, moving into sole possession of second in MLS in goal contributions (12) trailing only Atlanta United FC’s Thiago Almada who has 13. Since 2022, Mukhtar has recorded 29 goals and 17 assists, the most of any player in MLS.
Quick Turnaround: Nashville SC will return to action this Saturday, May 20 when it visits Charlotte FC at 6:30 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app.
Match Timeline:
NSH 33’: Aníbal Godoy sends a ball over the top to find Hany Mukhtar in the box, who turns and passes it to Fafà Picault to find the back of the net
NSH 49’: Shaq Moore sends a ball into the box to connect with Lukas MacNaughton, who heads it in for a goal
MIA 90’ + 3: Dixon Arroyo gets the ball after a deflection off a Miami corner kick and fires it to the back of the net
Notes:
· Nashville SC:
- is 4W-1L-2D against Inter Miami CF in series history, outscoring them 12-4
- has allowed the fewest goals in MLS with seven (LAFC has allowed the second fewest goals with eight in two fewer matches played)
- has not lost when scoring first since Aug. 8, 2021
- owns a 6W-0L-1D record this season and a 36W-4L-15D record historically when scoring first
- is 30W-1L-8D when scoring two or more goals all-time
- has produced three straight multi-goal performances in league play
- is 27W-1L-10D all-time when leading at the half
- is unbeaten in its last 35 matches when leading at the half (26W-0L-10D)
- has not conceded a first half goal in 12 of 13 matches, leading the league
· Teal Bunbury
- made his 350th career regular season appearance
- led the team with seven touches in the opposition’s box
· Aníbal Godoy led the team with 68 accurate passes
· Jack Maher led the team with five clearances
· Hany Mukhtar
- served as Captain for the fourth time, third consecutively;
- has led Nashville SC to a 4W-0L-0D record and a plus eight goal differential as Captain
- has contributed to 82 of Nashville SC’s total 146 goals in club history
· Fafà Picault recorded his third goal for Nashville SC giving the team a win every time he has scored
· Joe Willis ended the match sitting sixth in the league with 40 saves
Box Score:
Nashville SC (6W-3L-4D, 22 pts.) vs. Inter Miami CF (5W-7L-0D, 15 pts.)
May 17, 2023 – GEODIS Park
Final Score
MIA: 1
NSH: 2
Scoring Summary
NSH: Fafà Picault (A: Hany Mukhtar, Aníbal Godoy) 33’
NSH: Lukas MacNaughton (A: Shaq Moore) 49’
MIA: Dixon Arroyo (Unassisted) 90+3
Discipline
MIA: Franco Negri (caution) 18’
MIA: Dixon Arroyo (caution) 52’
MIA: Harvey Neville (caution) 56’
Lineups:
NSH Starters: Joe Willis; Dan Lovitz, Lukas MacNaughton, Jack Maher, Shaq Moore; Hany Mukhtar (C), Teal Bunbury (Taylor Washington 70’), Alex Muyl (Randall Leal 81’), Aníbal Godoy (Tah Brian Anunga 87’), Sean Davis (Ján Greguš 87’); Fafà Picault (Jacob Shaffelburg 70’)
Substitutes: Dax McCarty, Ethan Zubak, Josh Bauer, Tah Brian Anunga, Elliot Panicco
MIA Starters: Drake Callender; Christopher McVey, Ryan Sailor (Ian Fray 67’), Harvey Neville (DeAndre Yedlin 67’), Kamal Miller, Franco Negri; Dixon Arroyo, Victor Ulloa (C) (Josef Martinez 45’), Benjamin Cremaschi; Leo Campana (Shanyder Borgelin 87’), Robert Taylor (Jean Corentin 78’)
Substitutes: Jake La Cava, Nick Marsman, Nicolas Stefanelli, Noah Allen
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Ar1: Nick Uranga
Ar2: Peter Balciunas
4th Official: Matthew Nelson
VAR: David Barrie
AVAR: Anya Voigt
Attendance: 25,839
Weather: Clear, 74 Degrees
