Nashville SC returned to Major League Soccer play back on the road, and put forth an impressive display, putting Atlanta United to the sword by a score of 2-0. It marks just the third win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Coyotes, coincidentally all by that same 2-0 scoreline.
Ben Wright
Let's dig into the player ratings.
• Players begin with a base grade of 6 and can increase or decrease their rating based on performance.
• Players must play a minimum of 15 minutes to earn a rating.
Brian Schwake - 7.5
Brian Schwake wasn't called into action as much on Saturday as he has been in other road trips, but he responded each time and made a couple of crucial saves. He also claimed yet another clean sheet, and in the process, put himself second in league history in average goals against through a player's first eight games in MLS.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.0
By posting his fourth shutout of the season tonight, @NashvilleSC goalkeeper Brian Schwake now has a 0.50 goals against average in his first eight career @MLS games, which is tied for the second-best mark in MLS history, behind only Kasey Keller (0.41). pic.twitter.com/wFgb8c0w34
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) April 19, 2026
Dan Lovitz - 7.5
Dan Lovitz had what is likely his best performance of 2026 so far, popping up in the final third several times to make big moments, while remaining solid at the back against an Atlanta side that was determined to attack the wide areas of the field
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.7
Maxwell Woledzi - 8.0
Maxwell Woledzi continues to why he is perhaps the most valuable centerback in Major League Soccer. He shut down just about every attack that came his way, and proved a calm presence with the ball at his feet as well.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.5
Jeisson Palacios - 7.5
Jeisson Palacios, alongside his partner in Woledzi, operates as a two-headed monster at the back. It's very rare that either of them is caught out, and when one is, the other is there to mop it up. The chemistry that the two display is really remarkable considering how little time they've played together, relatively.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.2
Andy Nájar - 8.0
Andy Nájar continued where he left off against Club América, marauding up and down the right side of the field, even at times dribbling centrally to distribute the ball. The Honduran managed to complete four of his five long ball attempts, helping to stretch Atlanta's defense in a way that saw the Five Stripes ultimately capitulate to the Coyotes' transition attack.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.7
Eddi Tagseth - 7.0
Eddi Tagseth didn't have as much to do directly with the way Nashville played as he had last time out in league play, but the nonstop motor on the Norwegian Nuisance constantly puts him in good spots to make something happen.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 7.1
Matthew Corcoran - 7.0
Matthew Corcoran spelled Patrick Yazbek in the starting lineup in this one, and the young midfielder continues to grow into his role in the Nashville squad, one game at a time. He completed two of four long balls and also racked up a key pass as well.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 7.0
Ahmed Qasem - 6.5
Ahmed Qasem got into some decent spots and continued showing confidence to take defenders on, but he was largely uninvolved in the proceedings.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 6.5
Cristian Espinoza - 8.5
For Cristian Espinoza, a goal and a secondary assist would be his contribution to the scoresheet, in addition to five key passes. The Argentine continues to make his signing look like one of the best additions in recent memory in all of MLS.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 8.4
Hany Mukhtar - 8.5
Hany Mukhtar had a nearly perfect evening. Two assists – one each to Cristian Espinoza and Shak Mohammed – but it could have been an even better night for the former MVP, if it weren't for a 1v1 opportunity that Mukhtar would want back. To harp on that situation any further would be nitpicking to the highest degree.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.4
Warren Madrigal - 6.5
Warren Madrigal wasn't as involved as he could've been, eventually had to leave for injury, and was spotted walking off the field with his arm in a sling. Nashville certainly hopes the injury is minor.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 6.8
Not to bring the mood down but that's Warren in a sling pic.twitter.com/v89bXIjS9w
— The Roadies (@NSCRoadies) April 19, 2026
Substitutes
Alex Muyl - 6.5
Alex Muyl came in and had an Alex Muyl 35 minutes or so. The good news? Muyl put a shot on target low and hard, which is noteworthy!
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 6.7
Patrick Yazbek - 6.5
Patrick Yazbek came on to spell Eddi Tagseth and was taken out of most of Nashville's threatening moments by the game state. The Coyotes had lots of success with long balls in this one, which, of course, generally bypass central midfielders.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 6.5
Shak Mohammed - N/A
It was an incredibly emotional moment just into stoppage time for Shak Mohammed, who grabbed his first MLS goal in his league debut for the Coyotes. If he'd played more minutes, he'd get a big ratings bump for hitting an entire fanbase right in the feels. Mohammed nearly put away a second just before the final whistle as well.
Stock: Up
Sofascore Rating: 7.4
Ben Wright
Reed Baker-Whiting - N/A
Once again, it was a versatility game for Reed Baker-Whiting, who made a cameo in this one on the left wing. It's clear that's far from head coach BJ Callaghan's first choice, but one that he's unafraid to go to if need be.
Stock: Unchanged
Sofascore Rating: 6.8
Manager
BJ Callaghan - 8.5
BJ Callaghan made some slight rotation from midweek in Mexico City, and it didn't change the Coyotes' threat to Atlanta's goal at all. Similarly to that CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinal, slight halftime adjustments made all the difference.
Atlanta is far from a good team, but a road win is always, always valuable in this league. For a second time in three trips, Callaghan led his team to a win on the road at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, something the club had only done once before his arrival in the summer of 2024. Hats off to you, gaffer.
