"Thank you so much, bro": Shak Mohammed's first MLS goal was years in the making

Shak Mohammed's goal on Saturday night was more than just a goal. It was a culmination of years of work and the product of lifelong friendships.

His 91st-minute strike sealed an important 2-0 away win for Nashville SC at Atlanta United, continuing Nashville's record start to the season. The goal was his first in Nashville, as well as his first in Major League Soccer. The way it happened made it even sweeter.

The assist came from Hany Mukhtar. As Mohammed wheeled away in celebration, he turned to his teammate, his face saying everything, and his words captured on camera: "Thank you so much, bro!"

This wasn't merely spontaneous emotion. This was the product of years of work and a relationship intentionally built since Mohammed arrived in Nashville.

"It's amazing, especially because the assist also came from Hany," Mohammed told the media after the match. "Ever since I stepped foot in Nashville, he's been a brother figure for me, an older brother who will always put his hand around my shoulder."

"He's been unbelievable to me in many ways that I cannot even explain now. And leading up to the game, when we're going out for warmup, he told me, 'I feel like you're going to come in and make an impact.' And it happened. You couldn't expect that. And he passed the ball to me... And now I hope many more are going to come in the future."

Mohammed has been on the fringes of MLS for years. The second-overall pick in the 2023 SuperDraft, the former Duke Blue Devil made four MLS appearances for Orlando City, but spent the bulk of his time in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring an impressive 28 goals in 77 appearances. Nashville saw something worth betting on, acquiring him this winter and giving him the opportunity for a fresh start.

"In life, it's not always that you're given the opportunities that you think you deserve. It obviously doesn't really function like that," he said. "I just want to say I'm thankful to them [BJ Callaghan and the coaching staff], because sometimes we work so hard and the opportunities are not given... We just have an unbelievable team, and it's an amazing feeling to be a local part of that team."

Aiding Mohammed in his transition has been Maxwell Woledzi. Two years his senior, also a native of Kumasi, Ghana, and also a product of the Right To Dream academy. The two players came up together in Ghana and have reconnected on the other side of the globe.

"A big part of my celebration was Maxwell. I mean, I just love Maxwell. And I'm not saying that," Mohammed smiled. "It's an understatement to say I love him; he's everything to me. It's unbelievable having a brother like him. We hang out almost every single day. We have breakfast every day at the training facilities. It's a dream come true. I do everything with Maxwell."

"I couldn't have asked for any better brother and friend to be around with me every day. All I can say is I love that guy."