MLS Nashville SC

Nashville SC Update

Published on May 8, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 8, 2023) -Nashville Soccer Club will prepare for two matches this week, starting at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday with a Round of 32 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against FC Dallas at GEODIS Park. Tickets are available at www.NashvilleSc.com/Tickets.

Nashville SC earned its spot in the Round of 32 against Dallas after defeating San Antonio 1-0 FC in the Third Round on April 26 at GEODIS Park. Forward Ethan Zubak lifted Nashville to victory with a game-winning goal in the 71st minute. Zubak has been critical in U.S Open Cup play, also scoring the winning goal in last year's Round of 32 match against Atlanta United FC in the 93' minute of extra-time to secure a 3-2 win for Nashville SC.

In its 108th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States and the world's third-longest continuously run national cup tournament. The historic tournament is conducted on a single-game, knockout basis and open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.

Nashville SC will then travel to the Nation's Capital to take on D.C. United at 6:30 p.m. CT on May 13. The match can be seen on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

Nashville SC (5W-3L-3D, 18 pts.) is coming off a sensational 3-0 performance against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night. The second consecutive matchday scoring three goals propelled the Boys in Gold to third place in the Eastern Conference.

For the third time in his career, second against Chicago, reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar recorded a hat trick on Saturday night. His first one against the Fire, recorded on July 17, 2021, is the fastest hat-trick in MLS history in the span of six minutes (10', 13', 16'). Mukhtar served as Captain for the first time at home, second time in his Nashville SC career.

Goalkeeper Joe Willis became the first player in club history to reach 100 MLS appearances for the Nashville SC as he earned his sixth shutout of the season.

Making his Nashville SC debut as centerback on Saturday night was newly acquired player from Toronto FC, Lukas MacNaughton, who registered 63 minutes en route to the shutout.

NSC Backstage, the official weekly radio show of Nashville SC will air on 104.5 The Zone this Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT. Featuring the voices of Will Boling, Lucas Panzica and Jalil Anibaba, fans will be able to listen to interviews with players and staff.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Nashville SC vs. FC Dallas

Bleacher Report (B/R) app and B/R Football YouTube channel

Nashville SC at D.C. United

MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app

104.5 The Zone for English radio

MEDIA NOTES: ‚

Nashville SC:

is in third place in the Eastern Conference

has scored a season-high three goals in back-to-back weeks

has allowed the fewest goals in MLS with six (LAFC has allowed the second fewest goals with seven in two fewer matches played)

has the second-best goal differential in the Eastern Conference at +8 (New England Revolution is first with +9)

is first in MLS in Save Percentage (86%)

has not conceded a first half goal in 10 of 11 matches, leading the league

has not lost when scoring first since Aug. 8, 2021

owns a 5W-0L-1D record this season and a 35W-4L-15D record historically when scoring first

is 29W-1L-8D when scoring two or more goals all-time

is 26W-1L-10D all-time when leading at the half and is unbeaten in its last 35 matches when leading at the half (25W-0L-10D)

is 14W-1L-0D all-time when scoring three or more goals in an MLS match

IN OPEN CUP PLAY

has only faced FC Dallas in MLS play

owns a 3W-2L-1D record all-time

Nashville's first-ever MLS win came against Dallas on Aug. 12, 2020 in Frisco, TX

Nashville's last meeting against Dallas came on Aug. 21, 2022 in a 4-0 win at GEODIS Park

reached the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup last season

IN MLS PLAY

has never lost to D.C. United in club history (3W-0L-1D)

has out-scored D.C. United 9-3 in four all-time meetings

the two sides met last season in a 3-1 Nashville victory; Dan Lovitz scored and Hany Mukhtar recorded a brace

the last two matches of this series have been played at Audi Field

Head Coach Gary Smith

set a new personal record for most wins at an MLS club with his 44th victory on Saturday night, spanning across MLS regular season, postseason and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play

surpassed his previous record of 43 set with the Colorado Rapids from 2008-11

Teal Bunbury

made his 348th career regular season appearance last night, ranking seventh all-time among active players

has appeared in 25 career matches against D.C. United in regular season play

Aníbal Godoy

leads the team in passing accuracy at 90.7% (minimum 90 minutes played)

has led Nashville SC to a 14W-7L-6D record in his appearances since 2022

Jack Maher

leads the team in accurate passes (446)

made his 50th career MLS regular season start on Saturday

Dax McCarty 's next league appearance will be his 450th career MLS regular season appearance

Hany Mukhtar

is the team-leader in goals (6) and assists (4)

is one goal shy of 50 in MLS regular season competition

has recorded 29 goals and 16 assists since 2022, the most of any players in MLS in that span

has led Nashville to a 2W-0L-0D record and a plus six goal differential as Captain

has scored or assisted in four consecutive MLS matches

has contributed to 80 of Nashville SC's total 144 goals in club history

Jacob Shaffelburg is one goal away from setting a career-high, currently at three, in 10 less matches played

Joe Willis

is tied for the league lead in shutouts (6) with Seattle Sounders FC's Stefan Frei

leads all goalkeepers in save percentage at 86 % (minimum 3 matches played)

earned his 55th career shutout on Saturday night

Walker Zimmerman has 24 career goals, including the playoffs, 23 of which have been scored on set pieces (15 corners, eight free kicks)

Check out the Nashville SC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 8, 2023


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