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MATCH Preview: Nashville SC Returns to GEODIS Park for One More Western Conference Clash

September 28, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville SC (12W-9L-8D, 44 pts.) will face its fifth and final Western Conference opponent this Saturday, Sept. 30 as it takes on Seattle Sounders FC (12W-9L-9D, 45 pts) at GEODIS Park at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match marks the first of three upcoming fixtures in a week.

Nashville SC and Seattle Sounders FC have clashed twice in series history, both in 2022 when the Boys in Gold took to wins as part of the Western Conference. Joe Willis recorded two clean sheets, as Aníbal Godoy and Hany Mukhtar scored in the season-opening on Feb. 27, 2022 at Lumen Field, and on July 13, 2022 at GEODIS Park, respectively.

Nashville SC currently sits at seventh in the Eastern Conference with 44 points. The Boys in Gold have one game in hand over four of the six teams ahead of them in the table, level with New England Revolution and two games in hand over Atlanta United FC.

Earlier today, Head Coach Gary Smith and forward Fafá Picault discussed with media the importance of picking up points through Nashville SC's remaining five matches this season, four at GEODIS Park. Smith also spoke of the talent and long-standing success that comes with Seattle Sounders FC. Picault discussed his versatility on the field and the importance of picking up four points on Nashville SC's most recent road trip.

Nashville SC will look to continue its four-match unbeaten and three-match scoring streak as it pushes for a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Hany Mukhtar will also look to continue his scoring form. The reigning Landon Donovan MVP is in a tightly contested race for the 2023 Golden Boot as he sits in a three-way tie for the lead with 15 goals. Across Nashville SC's three-match goal scoring streak, Mukhtar has recorded four goal contributions (two goals, two assists).

Mukhtar has retained a consistent scoring form over his last three seasons, resulting in multiple records broken. He has accumulated 54 goals in 92 appearances (58 goals and 37 assists in 108 appearances across four regular seasons), which makes him the fifth ranking player in MLS with the most contributions in that span, and just the eighth player in MLS history to net 15 or more goals in three successive seasons. His assist to Teal Bunbury on Sept. 23, 2023 saw him become just the second ever player to register 10+ goals and 10+ assists in three consecutive MLS (also Preki 1996-98). Mukhtar currently sits on 62 goals and 37 assists in 114 appearances across the MLS regular season and playoffs. His 99 goal contributions put Mukhtar just one goal contribution away from reaching the 100-mark milestone. He currently leads Nashville SC in goal contributions with 25 (15 goals and 10 assists) in 2023.

Nashville SC's match Saturday night will also serve as its Hispanic Heritage Night as the club honors Hispanic Heritage Month through September and October. The night will include a variety of performances by Hispanic artists and musicians. Find out more at www.NashvilleSc.com/Community.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚

- Television: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and on FS1

- Radio: 104.5 The Zone app

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