Hany Mukhtar scored twice and assisted on Jacob Shaffelburg’s goal within the first 33 minutes Sunday night as Nashville SC snapped a six-game winless rut with their 4-0 victory over visiting FC Dallas.
Sitting third in the Western Conference, FC Dallas (11-8-9, 42 points) knew they could be in for a tough offensive night without star Jesus Ferreira, who ranks among the MLS leaders with 15 goals but had to sit out due to yellow-card accumulation.
However, it was Dallas’ defense that was the culprit while conceding its most goals of 2022, allowing Nashville (9-9-9, 36 points) to rather easily end an 0-3-1 rut at home and move above the playoff line in the West.
Scoring its most goals of the season, Nashville held a 18-4 advantage in overall shots and threaded eight on target. Meanwhile, FC Dallas were held without a shot on goal for the first time this season.
This also marked the first time in 2022 that an opponent scored three times in the first half against Dallas, which allowed three goals total while entering this match on a 4-1-1 stretch.
Nashville needed a strong start, and Mukhtar delivered just five minutes in. The Nashville star brought the ball into the near end of the box while casually marked by defender Jose Martinez, then scored from a tight angle.
In the 26th minute, Mukhtar was credited with an assist after he briefly lost possession in the box. However, Shaffelburg pounced on the ball and drove it in off Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes to come through in his Nashville SC debut.
Seven minutes later, after Shaffelburg was fouled by Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal, Mukhtar posted his 16th goal of the season. He bent a free kick from just outside the top of the box and into the top corner, once again in impressive fashion.
Dave Romney capped the scoring for Nashville off a set piece in the 72nd minute.
–Field Level Media
