Recap: Nashville SC come back to beat Charlotte in a heated contest

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC grabbed one of their more impressive wins of the 2025 season to date on Saturday night, coming from behind to beat Charlotte FC in a Southern Championship Belt that had the intensity of a playoff match in front of a sobering backdrop off the field.

The XI

Head coach BJ Callaghan returned to the same lineup he'd used in the prior two MLS matches, with the only change to the squad adding Wyatt Meyer to the bench in place of the injured Taylor Washington.

On the pitch

In somewhat of a rarity for Nashville at home this season, they found themselves on the back foot for the opening of the match. Charlotte controlled the momentum and flow of the match for the opening 10 to 15 minutes. Nashville weathered the storm and eventually shifted control back into their favor, reverting to the typical high-pressing, high-tempo style they've used under Callaghan, keeping the ball in the Charlotte half for the bulk of game.

After halftime, though, it was the visitors who came out on top. A poor giveaway from Hany Mukhtar lead to a quick break, with Liel Abada putting Charlotte ahead with a low, drilled shot placed perfectly into the bottom corner.

It took Nashville all of one minute and 43 seconds to respond. Patrick Yazbek smartly took a throw-in quickly, finding Alex Muyl in the box and catching Charlotte's defense off guard. A slick back heel from Muyl found Mukhtar, who brought the ball down cooly before smashing a shot off the post and in, his fifth goal of the year.

Just three minutes later, Jacob Shaffelburg scored the winner with his first strike of the season. The Canadian international had a strong connection with Andy Najar down the right flank all evening, and the two combined to set up Shaffelburg, who aimed a laser into the bottom corner.

Nashville continued to control the match until the final 10 minutes, when Charlotte began to put real pressure on their backline. Josh Bauer slotted into the back line to add an extra body in defense, and Nashville were able to weather a really difficult test to come away with all three points.

The big picture

Nashville close out their 2025 series against Charlotte with a really important win, leapfrogging the Crown to finish the night in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. It's the first time they've ever taken 20 points from their opening 12 matches.

Mukhtar's strong form continued as well. Through 12 matches, he's up to five goals and four assists, his second-best tally ever in a Nashville shirt.

While the result on the field was cause for celebration, the atmosphere in the supporters section was more sombre. La Brigada De Oro, the club's Latino supporters group, were not present at the match amidst increased activity from Immigration Control and Enforcement, with a leader of the group telling SixOneFive Soccer that they were concerned about being targeted while traveling to and from the match.

Nashville’s Latin American supporters group halts game-day traditions amid ICE crackdown: “We feel targeted”

La Brigada De Oro, the heart of Nashville SC’s supporter culture, halts festivities as Latin American communities face heightened immigration enforcement and fear for their safety

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

The rest of the Backline showed solidarity with La Brigada, covering their usual capo stand in a black cloth, prominently displaying a banner with their logo, and holding silence for 10 minutes in the first half, holding a banner displaying the words "we are not all here".

At several points during the match, security personnel attempted to demand removal of the banners. The Backline threatened a wholesale walkout if banners were removed, though, and were ultimately left alone.

Up next

Nashville are back in action at Geodis on Wednesday, taking on the New York Red Bulls, who just thrashed reigning MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy in a 7-0 bloodbath. The Coyotes will stay at home over the weekend, taking on DC United on Saturday night.

Stats

Possession: NSH 45% – 55% CLT
Passes completed: NSH 363 – 470 CLT
Shots: NSH 13 – 10 CLT
Shots on goal: NSH 8 – 4 CLT
Penalty kicks: NSH 0 – 0 CLT
Goals: NSH 2 – 1 CLT
Expected goals: NSH 0.85 – 1.42 CLT
Fouls: NSH 12 – 9 CLT
Yellow cards: NSH 3 – 2 CLT
Red cards: NSH 0 – 0 CLT
Announced attendance: 25,003

Highlights

Post-match media