Hany Mukhtar Scores Twice In Nashville SC 4-0 ‘Must Win’ Against FC Dallas

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Pictured (L-R): Hany Mukhtar, Shaq Moore, and Jacob Shaffelburg. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The Boys in Gold finally came up big at GEODIS Park as they beat FC Dallas 4-0, with MVP hopeful Hany Mukhtar leading the way with two first half goals on Sunday night (Aug. 21).

Nashville hadn’t won in its last six games, with their last victory coming against Seattle at GEODIS Park on July 13. But Sunday night’s team looked like a completely different squad, scoring the most goals of the season and only allowing three shots and no shots on goal.

In the fifth minute, Mukhtar got things started with an absolutely ridiculous goal, scoring from the right side of the box and driving the ball across the goal into the top right corner of the net. The goal set a precedent for the rest of the night.

The 2022 MLS All-Star then scored on a brilliant free kick in the 33rd minute to go up 3-0, solidifying NSC’s monster night at home.

“There were so many positives tonight,” said head coach Gary Smith in a postgame press conference. “Hany was exceptional again. Two outstanding goals, the first goal was from such an acute angle and his free kick was sublime.”

Another star of the night was 22-year-old Jacob Shaffelburg, who made his Nashville SC debut and scored in the 26th minute, putting the team up 2-0. Shaffelburg added a ton of speed in the midfield and looked great playing alongside Mukhtar, CJ Sapong and Randall Leal. His great run in the offensive transition led to a foul at the top of the penalty box which led to Mukhtar’s free kick goal.

“It was a dream start. I don’t know if I could’ve dreamt of how well tonight went,” said Shaffelburg in a postgame press conference. “It feels good to be playing with those guys and the connection is coming along already which is really good.”

Aníbal Godoy with Jacob Shaffelburg. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The night was topped off with a sizzling goal off a header from Dave Romney, which came off a Dan Lovitz corner kick right in front of the supporters section.

Nashville arguably played their best game of the season, and by far their best game so far at GEODIS Park. After falling under the playoff line, Nashville finds itself back in sixth place with 36 points–just two behind Real Salt Lake.

Prior to Sunday’s win, the Boys in Gold suffered bad back-to-back home losses to Toronto (4-3) and Minnesota (2-1), adding to an already frustrating season.

“There’s no doubt about it, it’s been a little while coming,” Smith added. “I won’t lie, there is a bit of relief in it as well: four goals, clean sheet, some superb performances, a fantastic debut from Jacob and a result that was much needed for the group to keep us in a competitive position.”

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Mukhtar continues to be the star, now with 16 goals and six assists on the season. He is second in the league with a goals+assists ratio of 22 just behind Austins Sebastian Driussi’s 23.

Now, Nashville will prepare for a Vancouver Whitecaps team that’s trying to claw its way into the playoffs on Saturday, Aug. 27 in Denver.

Vancouver sits just below the playoff line in eighth place with 34 points. NSC drew with Vancouver on July 23 at GEODIS, but after Sunday’s victory, they can carry the momentum and add another three points to help secure their place in the 2022 MLS Playoffs.

Steven Boero
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