NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 22, 2024) – Nashville Soccer Club capped an undefeated week and extended its overall unbeaten run to seven of its last eight matches (4W-1L-3D) after defeating New York City FC 1-0 at GEODIS Park Saturday night. Midfielder Tyler Boyd scored his first MLS goal as a Boy in Gold while goalkeeper Joe Willis secured his sixth shutout of the season.
We’re going streaking: Nashville SC forwards Sam Surridge and Boyd extended their point streaks to two matches when the pair connected in the 23rd minute to put Nashville SC on top 1-0. The tally was Boyd's first MLS goal of the season and Surridge's first-ever assist in league play.
Keep a lid on it: Willis registered his fourth shutout in his last six starts for his 65th career clean sheet in his 250th career appearance.
Brotherly love: Nashville SC homegrown defender Isaiah Jones and New York City FC forward Malachi Jones, who are brothers and were raised in the Nashville suburb of Thompson Station, Tenn. after being adopted with their six siblings from Sierra Leone by Mike and Hayley Jones, both dressed for Saturday's match, with Malachi entering in the 59th minute.
Next up: The Boys in Gold will be back at GEODIS Park next Saturday, June 29 to host Inter Miami CF at 7:30 p.m. CT presented by Vanderbilt Health. Tickets for the match are available here.
Match timeline:
NSH 23’: Sam Surridge sends a ball across the box to a waiting Tyler Boyd who heads it home
Notes:
Nashville SC:
- is unbeaten in seven of its last eight matches (4W-1L-3D), outscoring opponents 9-4 in that span
- went undefeated in three matches this week with a 2W-0L-1D record (seven points)
- is 38W-27L-36D all-time against Eastern Conference opponents
- is 46W-7L-20D when scoring first
- is 34W-2L-13D when leading at half
- is 4W-2L-5D at home in 2024
- is 35W-34L-42D all-time on weekends
- is 6W-5L-4D all-time in the month of June
- has started Dan Lovitz, Jack Maher, Walker Zimmerman and Josh Bauer together as the backline the last three matches, going undefeated with that combination (2W-0L-1D)
- recorded 1.13 expected goals (xG) to NYC’s 1.05 xG, eight shots and three shots on goal
Forster Ajago made his second career MLS appearance
Tyler Boyd
- recorded his first goal and fourth goal contribution (1G, 3A) in the MLS regular season
- has recorded goal contributions in back-to-back matches (one assist at TOR June 19, one goal vs. NYC June 22)
- appeared in his 50th MLS match
Dan Lovitz appeared in his 250th MLS match
Jack Maher
- appeared in his 100th MLS match
- leads Nashville SC with 17 games started and 1,529 minutes
- led the team with 100% passing accuracy on the night
Hany Mukhtar led the team with three shots (also, Sam Surridge)
Sam Surridge
- recorded his first career MLS assist in the 23rd minute
- has recorded goal contributions in back-to-back matches (one goal at TOR June 19, one assist vs. NYC June 22)
- led the team with three shots (also, Hany Mukhtar)
Joe Willis
- appeared in his 250th MLS match
- recorded his 65th career clean sheet
Walker Zimmerman entered the field with his son Tucker to celebrate his child’s third birthday
Box score:
Nashville SC (6W-5L-8D) vs. New York City FC (9W-8L-2D)
June 22, 2024 – GEODIS Park
Final score:
NSH: 1
NYC: 0
Scoring summary:
NSH: Tyler Boyd (A: Sam Surridge) 23’
Discipline:
NYC: Santiago Rodriguez (Caution) 26’
NYC: Tayvon Gray (Caution) 87’
Lineups:
NSH starters: Joe Willis; Dan Lovitz, Jack Maher, Josh Bauer, Walker Zimmerman (C); Hany Mukhtar (Forster Ajago 90’+1), Teal Bunbury (Tah Brian Anunga 87’), Dru Yearwood (Amar Sejdić 60’), Sean Davis (Alex Muyl 60’); Sam Surridge, Tyler Boyd (Taylor Washington 87’)
Substitutes: Elliot Panicco, Joey Skinner, Brent Kallman, Isaiah Jones
NYC starters: Matt Freese; Birk Risa, Thiago Martins (C), Kevin O’Toole, Mitja Ilenic (Tayvon Gray 60’); James Sands, Maxi Moralez (Hannes Wolf 80’), Keaton Parks (Andres Perea 72’); Monsef Bakrar (Jovan Mijatovic 60’), Santiago Rodriguez, Agustin Ojeda (Malachi Jones 60’)
Substitutes: Luis Barraza, Julian Fernandez, Strahinja Tanasijevic, Alonso Martinez,
Match officials:
Referee: Victor Rivas
AR1: Andrew Bigelow
AR2: Jeffrey Swartzel
4TH: Alejo Calume
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
AVAR: Katherine McCormick
Weather: 90 degrees, partly cloudy
