Player Ratings: Nashville maul Cincinnati at the Castle

NASHVILLE, TN – After an ending against Columbus that left hearts in mouths, it was FC Cincinnati's turn to come down from Ohio to the Music City and face off against league-leading Nashville SC. This time, the Coyotes left no doubt, putting the Garys to the sword by a score of 4-0.

Recap: Nashville SC keep flying with ascendant win over Cincinnati

The ’Yotes score four goals in first-ever Geodis Park win over Cincinnati

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

How about we rate some players, everyone?

Brian Schwake - 8.5

Brian Schwake didn't have all that much to do for a large portion of the game, but as soon as Nashville grabbed their second, and the game state put more urgency on Cincinnati's attack, Schwake was forced into a couple of truly heroic saves.

Mauricio Pochettino, are you not entertained?

Stock: Up

Brian Schwake in MLS this season: • 10 clean sheets (2nd) • 78.2% save percentage (1st) • 0.80 goals conceded per 90 minutes (tied 1st) • 17 goals allowed (1st) • 7.80 goals prevented (1st) Stats via Fotmob 📸 @cmoorestoryteller.bsky.social

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— Ben Wright (@benwright.bsky.social) August 30, 2026 at 8:20 AM

Andy Nájar - 8.0

Andy Nájar did a lot of the pass-before-the-pass work in this one as Cincinnati gave all too much time and space to Nashville's right-hand side. He was a bit reckless at a couple of points defensively, earning himself a booking, but the positives far outweighed the occasional negative.

Stock: Up

Jeisson Palacios - 8.0

Jeisson Palacios didn't rack up another show-stopping assist in this one, but he was as he always is at the back: incredibly dependable and calm. He continues to be one of the very best centerbacks in the league.

Stock: Up

Maxwell Woledzi - 8.0

Maxwell Woledzi will wear some war wounds home from this one after taking a blow from the Nashville mascot Tempo in the postgame celebrations, but on the field, he was magnificent once again. Four of his five long balls were completed, he was successful on two of three attempted dribbles, and he logged a remarkable goal-line clearance.

The supporters' tifo in pregame depicted Woledzi, Palacios and Schwake as a three-headed monster defending The Castle. That sentiment could not feel any more true than in this game.

Stock: Up

Reed Baker-Whiting - 8.0

Reed Baker-Whiting got playing time at both fullback spots, which ultimately means nothing, but is always fun to see happen. He started on the left, and did some good things there, but it was on his switch to the right in the absence of Nájar late in the game where he had the biggest impact. He notched an assist, setting up Ahmed Qasem's game-sealing fourth.

Stock: Up

Eddi Tagseth - 6.5

Eddi Tagseth was a little reckless, to put it lightly, in this one. He might be fortunate to have only picked up a yellow card in his time on the field and not also a straight red for a challenge on Evander, going over the ball and putting his studs into his shin. He didn't get a red, so he can't be penalized for it here.

Stock: Unchanged

Patrick Yazbek - 7.5

Patrick Yazbek was much, much closer to his pre-injury form in this game. He was calm, decisive on the ball, and aggressive but controlled in his pressing. Nashville already looked near weakness-free before his return, but if he's able to return to his early-season form?

29 other teams should be very afraid.

Stock: Up

Elias Saad - 8.0

Elias Saad picked up another assist, setting up Hany Mukhtar's goal, Saad's third assist in five MLS appearances. His 1v1 ability has completely unlocked the left hand side of the field for Nashville and he's quickly become among the team's more important players.

Stock: Up

Cristian Espinoza - 7.5

Cristian Espinoza logged yet another assist on the game's opening goal, and continued to be the key cog in much of Nashville's buildup throughout the game.

Stock: Unchanged

Hany Mukhtar - 9.0

Guess what? Hany Mukhtar scored again. Add to that another assist on Bryan Acosta's goal, and Mukhtar is up to 17 goal contributions in 22 games, with four goals and two assists in his last four. The dip in form in late 2023 and 2024 feels farther and farther in the past with every passing game.

Stock: Up

Sam Surridge - 7.0

Sam Surridge scored his 13th goal of the season to break the deadlock just before halftime, and made good use of his 27 touches. He even completed two long balls! Not a situation Surridge finds himself in that often.

Stock: Up

Substitutes

Matt Corcoran - 6.5

Matt Corcoran came in to spell Patrick Yazbek as the Australian continues to rebuild fitness, and had a decent outing, though the game state limited how much he could contribute on the ball.

Stock: Unchanged

Dan Lovitz - N/A

Dan Lovitz didn't have a ton of time to do all that much, but he did complete all four of his passes!

Stock: Unchanged

Alex Muyl - N/A

Alex Muyl saw the field but none of the ball, as he quite literally logged zero touches. It happens!

Stock: Unchanged

Bryan Acosta - N/A

Bryan Acosta came onto the field, scored a scorcher of a low-driven shot from outside the box on a set-piece routine, and helped Nashville see out the end of the game. Couldn't have gone much better for him.

Stock: Up

Shak Mohammed - N/A

Shak Mohammed had a fairly uneventful cameo, though he did notch a secondary assist on Ahmed Qasem's goal.

Stock: Unchanged

Ahmed Qasem - N/A

Ahmed Qasem scored the game's fourth and final goal on a stoppage-time breakaway that found him all alone, and the Iraqi buried a much-needed goal as far as his season is concerned. Here's hoping it's a building block for the future.

Stock: Up

Manager

BJ Callaghan - 8.0

BJ Callaghan is the clear frontrunner for MLS Coach of the Year. Every week Nashville sets a new record, this time becoming the fastest team to 50 points in MLS history.

On a night when the chasing duo of Vancouver and Miami in the Supporters Shield race were always likely to pick up three points playing Sporting Kansas City and CF Montréal, respectively, Nashville thoroughly dismantled a Cincinnati team that has, at times this season, proved dangerous against high-level competition.

This team is legit. Enjoy it.