Recap: Nashville SC beat New York Red Bulls for first-time ever

NASHVILLE, TN - Hany Mukhtar's exquisite propelled Nashville SC to yet another win at Geodis Park, giving the club their first-ever win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.

The XI

Head coach BJ Callaghan made zero changes to his squad, keeping the same starting lineup and bench that he used in a 2-1 win over Charlotte just four days prior.

On the pitch

Unsurprisingly, the match started out incredibly tense. The two sides were fairly even throughout the first 30 minutes. Nashville were met with immediate pressure whenever they advanced the ball near midfield, while Red Bulls looked to play over the top to their pacey wingers.

The match opened up in the 34th minute with Patrick Yazbek's first goal in a Nashville shirt. The Australian international pounced on a turnover in midfield, driving 30 yards at goal before pinging a laser into the back of the net, with the ball bouncing out and rolling all the way out across the touchline.

Unsurprisingly, the Red Bulls didn't lay down. After a handful of missed chances from the Coyotes, they pulled level with a well-taken header from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to nod home a cross from Cameron Harper, who pounced on an under-hit clearance from a slipping Jeisson Palacios to drive the ball forward into the box.

Like they did last weekend, though, Nashville immediately responded. Just seven minutes after the Red Bulls levelled, Hany Mukhtar pulled the hosts ahead with his fourth goal in his last five matches. Nashville's all-time leading scorer capped off one of the best team goals the club had ever scored with a low finish past Carlos Coronel, giving Nashville a vital lead at home.

Similar to the Charlotte win, Nashville had to see out a difficult final 15 minutes. The Red Bulls threw everything forward to try and level the match, and the Coyotes had to absorb pressure and run down the clock. Chris Applewhite came on to form a back five, the toughest test of the 17-year-old's young career. Teal Bunbury also played a crucial role up top, playing a thankless role as a pressure-relieving target man to perfection.

The big picture

Beating the Red Bulls on its own is a feat for Nashville. Getting another win is even bigger. The Coyotes have won four of their last five matches, continuing their best-ever start to an MLS season in BJ Callaghan's first full year.

Their home form has been spectacular. In eight matches, they've lost one, drawn one and won six. In all of 2024, they won five matches at Geodis Park. Callaghan has turned Geodis into a fortress.

And crucially, Hany Mukhtar's spectacular form continues. The 2022 MLS MVP now has six goals and four assists in 13 matches. It's just one off his career-best form with Nashville, and when Mukhtar plays well, Nashville plays well.

Nashville SC are rolling, and are one of the hottest teams in MLS. They haven't won anything yet, though. The pressure is on them to keep this up over a long, arduous summer schedule.

Up next

Nashville SC are back at home on Saturday, taking on DC United at Geodis Park.

Stats

Possession: NSH 44% – 56% RBNY
Passes completed: NSH 271 – 350 RBNY
Shots: NSH 13 – 7 RBNY
Shots on goal: NSH 7 – 2 RBNY
Penalty kicks: NSH 0 – 0 RBNY
Goals: NSH 2 – 1 RBNY
Expected goals: NSH 1.84 – 0.57 RBNY
Fouls: NSH 11 – 14 RBNY
Yellow cards: NSH 3 – 3 RBNY
Red cards: NSH 0 – 0 RBNY
Announced attendance: 22,549

Highlights