Match Recap: Three All-Stars, Three Goals, Three Points as Nashville SC defeats Columbus Crew 3-0
Debuting their all-new third kit on Wednesday evening, Nashville SC looked to begin a new unbeaten streak as they welcomed fellow Eastern Conference contender Columbus Crew.
Boy, did they get off on the right foot. Just 61 seconds in, an Alex Muyl cross was put into Columbus’ net by one of their own as Sean Zawadski was credited with an own goal.
Then, Andy Najar unleashed one of the passes of the season in the 30th minute to find Sam Surridge, who crossed to his strike partner in Hany Mukhtar to double the Coyotes’ advantage.
Finally, in the 82nd minute, Najar again was the architect, picking out Ahmed Qasem, who pulled back a ball to the on rushing Surridge, who tapped home Nashville’s third.
The win keeps Nashville in third in the East, staying on pace with Philadelphia and Cincinnati in first and second, who both also claimed victory on Wednesday.
Lineup
Walker Zimmerman returned to the starting lineup for the first time since May 31st alongside a backline of Jack Maher, Andy Najar and Dan Lovitz as they looked to protect Joe Willis in goal.
The midfield pairing of Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek continues to look unshakeable as the first-choice duo, supporting a first-choice front four of Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl and Jonathan Pérez.
Off the bench, Gastón Brugman, Ahmed Qasem, Josh Bauer, Bryan Acosta and Teal Bunbury also saw action in not-Gold-this-time.
The Numbers
Nashville SC
Shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Possession: 42.4%
Corners: 1
xG: 3.0
Yellow Cards: 1 (Jonathan Pérez)
Columbus Crew SC
Shots: 22
Shots on goal: 4
Possession: 57.6%
Corners: 5
xG: 1.4
Yellow Cards: 1 (Max Arfsten)
Analysis
A statement win, and a much-needed statement win for the jorts-clad Coyotes in midweek. Coming off the road loss in Miami, a loss which snapped a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, there was fair questions about Nashville’s ability to rebound.
They rebounded, and then some. Andy Najar has to be the leading contender for Defender of the Year at this point. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge continue to be arguably the best attacking duo in the league. Everywhere Columbus attacked, a Nashville player was present.
Just an emphatic performance in a crucial six-pointer. Also, with Cincinnati’s defeat of Inter Miami, things are basically reset to what they were a couple of weeks ago in the East, though with Miami a bit more at arm’s length.
For Miami to climb above Nashville in the table, they need to collect seven points from their three games in hand. Which, if anyone can do it, it’s Miami, but that’s still no guarantee.
This win also puts Columbus themselves at arms length, as mentioned as this was a six-pointer. If you made me bet right now, it’s one of Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Nashville or Miami lifting the Supporters Shield come mid-October.
Not that you should be concerned at this point, but if you’re curious, Nashville currently holds a 12-point gap to the playoff line, and tenth place Charlotte. With 11 games to go in the regular season, Nashville should have no problem mathematically locking themselves into the playoffs, perhaps even by the end of August.
Next up for the Coyotes is a Saturday home date with Toronto FC, who themselves just picked up a pretty impressive 1-0 road win at San Diego. We’ll see you Saturday morning for the preview!