NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC completed one of the greatest comebacks in club history on Sunday night, scoring two goals in second-half stoppage time to pull off an unbelievable 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew.
With the win, the Boys In Gold set the MLS record for the most points earned through the first 21 matches of a season, and their 49 points put them a full 10 points ahead of second-place Inter Miami with 13 matches left to play.
The vibe check (TL;DR)
- What happened: Despite scoring in the opening 30 minutes to take the lead, Nashville struggled to break into the penalty area, with the Crew blocking several good opportunities. Down 2-1 in the final minutes, though, the 'Yotes continued to flex their championship credentials, pulling off one of the most memorable late wins in team history.
- What we learned: This team has a championship mentality. Full stop. It's hard not to look at the results over the last few weeks and think they're destined for something special.
- Big picture: The win opens up a 10-point lead on top of the Eastern Conference for Nashville, and continues their record-breaking pace. With 13 games remaining, they're on pace for a league-record 79 points.
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Key moments
- 10' | After absorbing several minutes of pressure, the 'Yotes go on the break. Surridge finds Espinoza, who plays Hany Mukhtar to goal on the wide edge of the box, but his shot flashes just wide.
- 27' | Mukhtar finds Nashville's opener after an incredibly patient buildup from Nashville and an excellent entry pass from Dan Lovitz, rifling his shot into the top of the net from a ridiculous angle.
- 45+2' | Sam Surridge nearly doubles Nashville's lead just before the break, winning the ball in the final third and driving at goal, but his curling shot is deflected wide of the far post.
- 45+5' | This time it's Cristian Espinoza's turn to come close after a lightning-quick transition from Mukhtar, cutting onto his left foot and forcing Patrick Schulte into an excellent near-post save.
- 58' | Mo Farsi equalizes for the Crew with a smart low drive across the goal. The finish was well taken, but Nashville were far too passive and got caught watching the Crew cut through their lines too easily.
- 68' | 10 minutes later, the Crew pull ahead with a well-hit free kick from André Gomes, getting the ball up and over the wall and beating Brian Schwake at the near post.
- 87' | So close to an equalizer and a debut goal for Elias Saad. Patrick Schulte comes off his line and misses (one of multiple wiffs on the night), and while Saad manages to squeeze his shot through a crowd of bodies, it trickles just wide of the far post.
- 90+3' | Substitute Reed Baker-Whiting heads home a corner kick from Mukhtar to pull the 'Yotes level in the dying seconds.
- 90+5' | An incredible end to the match! Andy Nájar scores an unreal late winner, driving a low shot past Schulte after an excellent ball from Jeisson Palacios to give the Boys In Gold a season-defining win.
Standout performers
- On his 200th MLS regular-season appearance, Hany Mukhtar scored the opening goal of the match and delivered the equalizing assist. He's been on fire since the World Cup break, up to 10 goals and six assists in all competitions.
- Andy Nájar scored the second stoppage-time winner in three days, smashing a perfectly-placed shot into the bottom corner. He continues to be a crucial piece of an elite team.
- Jeisson Palacios delivered an absolute peach of an assist for Nájar's winner, incredibly his fourth assist of the year. What a player he's become for Nashville!
Lineup notes
After missing 13 matches with injury, Patrick Yazbek returned to the starting lineup for the first time since early May, partnering Matt Corcoran in the center of the pitch. Elias Saad was also rotated out of the lineup, with Alex Muyl taking his place.
What it means
With Inter Miami's shock loss at home to Toronto FC, Nashville have opened up a 10-point gap on top of the Eastern Conference, and are nine points ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Supporters' Shield race (although the 'Caps do have a game in hand). Nashville are in firm control of their Shield destiny, but can't afford to take their foot off the gas.
Up next
The 'Yotes have a much-needed full week off before playing their eighth match in the month of August, taking on FC Cincinnati next Saturday at Geodis Park.
Stats
Possession: NSH 58% – 42% CLB
Field tilt (per Futi): NSH 59% – 41% CLB
Shots: NSH 13 – 3 CLB
Shots on goal: NSH 6 – 2 CLB
Penalty kicks: NSH 0 – 0 CLB
Goals: NSH 3 – 2 CLB
Expected goals: NSH 1.00 – 0.28 CLB
Total Passes: NSH 505 – 355 CLB
Fouls: NSH 8 – 7 CLB
Yellow cards: NSH 1 – 1 CLB
Red cards: NSH 0 – 0 CLB
Deserved win (per Futi): NSH 27% – 9% CLB
