Recap: Surridge and Mukhtar score for Nashville in playoff-caliber draw with Columbus

COLUMBUS, OH - Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar got on the scoresheet for Nashville SC in Columbus, fighting to a 2-2 draw with the Crew in a playoff-caliber match between two of the top teams in MLS.

The XI

Head coach BJ Callaghan made just two changes to his squad, bringing in wingers Jonny Pérez and Ahmed Qasem, pushing Alex Muyl and Jacob Shaffelburg to the bench. Walker Zimmerman started the match on the bench again after returning from a concussion, coming on at halftime for his longest appearance since April 5.

On the pitch

In one of the most difficult places to play in MLS, Nashville leapt out to an exceptional start. Sam Surridge grabbed his third goal in two matches after Patrick Yazbek's cross took a slight deflection, smashing a volley into a wide open goal just two minutes into the match.

Unsurprisingly, the Crew took control of the tempo, pinning Nashville deep in their own half and pushing hard for a leveler. Despite immense pressure, the Coyotes were still able to play through the press and create a handful of chances in transition, several of which should have found the back of the net. Pérez thought he'd doubled the lead when his shot smashed off the bar.

The Crew eventually pulled level in the second half. Steven Moreira drilled a low shot at Joe Willis, who could only parry it into the path of Deigo Rossi, with the defense slow to react and giving him a simple finish from close range.

Nashville responded 10 minutes later through Hany Mukhtar. A quick throw-in from Surridge found the feet of substitute Jacob Shaffelburg. The Canadian poked a shot at goalkeeper Nicolas Hagen, who could only block it into Mukhtar's path for an easy finish.

With a crucial lead on the road against an MLS Cup contender, Nashville were only able to hold on for a few minutes. Defender Malte Amundsen drove a low shot into the box, and Jeisson Palacios unfortunately deflected it off the post and into his own goal to salvage a 2-2 draw for Columbus.

The big picture

Nashville had chances to win the match, but a draw in Columbus is in no way a poor result. Despite being out-possessed and heavily pressed, Nashville were still able to create more than enough looks to win the match.

The Coyotes hold onto third place in the Eastern Conference, and the draw solidifies their credentials as one of the top teams in the East.

Up next

Nashville close out their packed May calendar with a home match against New York City FC on Saturday afternoon at Geodis Park. They'll finally get some rest afterwards, with two weeks until their next match.

Stats

Possession: CLB 66% – 34% NSH
Passes completed: CLB 611 – 275 NSH
Shots: CLB 21 – 14 NSH
Shots on goal: CLB 5 – 6 NSH
Penalty kicks: CLB 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: CLB 2 – 2 NSH
Expected goals: CLB 2.47 – 2.42 NSH
Fouls: CLB 5 – 6 NSH
Yellow cards: CLB 2 – 3 NSH
Red cards: CLB 0 – 0 NSH
Announced attendance: 20,022

Highlights

Post-match media