Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar scored from long range for his 100th career MLS goal and Jack Skahan scored for the visiting San Jose Earthquakes as two of the lowest clubs in the standings played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
While the opening moments saw few attacking opportunities, Mukhtar sent the Nashville crowd to its feet in the 19th minute as he collected a loose ball in midfield and took a shot from nearly 35 yards. The kick caught Earthquakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough off guard as the ball rocketed into the side netting to give Nashville (1-3-5, eight points) a 1-0 lead.
The 2022 MLS MVP is the 11th player in league history to reach 100 goals in 120 or fewer games.
Despite chances from Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg bursting up the wing, Nashville was unable to find another goal in the first half, allowing San Jose to settle into the match midway through the second frame. And in the 63rd minute, the Earthquakes (1-8-1, four points) got on the board as Rodrigues popped a pass from just inside the midfield line over the Nashville defense to a wide-open Skahan, who easily beat goalkeeper Joe Willis from the right side.
The hosts regained momentum as the game played through the final half hour, with the best chance to regain the lead coming from a Sam Surridge header in the 72nd minute, which he directed right into Yarbrough’s sprawling frame after a pinpoint cross from Shaffelburg.
While Nashville head coach Gary Smith brought veteran MLS center back Walker Zimmerman back into the fold as a 77th-minute substitute after a lengthy injury, the changes proved fickle, as the two sides played out to a fourth draw in their matchup history.
Yarbrough ended the night with four saves for the visitors, while Willis turned aside a trio of shots for Nashville.
–Field Level Media
