Hany Mukhtar simply took over.
The reigning MLS MVP scored the fourth hat trick of his MLS career on Saturday, leading Nashville (10-3-5, 35 points) to a 3-1 win over St. Louis City SC (9-6-2, 29 points), clinching Nashville’s fifth straight home win. The Boys in Gold are now 10 games unbeaten, a club record that previously dated back to June-August 2021.
“It’s almost something that you expect to happen now,” Nashville coach Gary Smith said. “And even I get caught up in the world where, ‘Well, of course he will.’ Because he’s that good.”
The challenge of overtaking 2023 expansion team and Western Conference leader St. Louis made Mukhtar’s “go off” moment all the more grand. Smith said St. Louis was “as competitive as we’ve had here” at Geodis Park. Niko Giocchini’s 41st minute goal — one awarded after the second of two referee video reviews — matched Mukhtar’s first.
Challenge accepted. Mukhtar used halftime substitute Jacob Shaffelburg’s turbo quickness to co-lead the fast break in the 67th minute that led to his second goal, a penalty, and played a give-and-go with midfield floor general Dax McCarty to complete the trifecta.
Mukhtar takes MLS goals lead
Mukhtar’s 13 goals means he became the sole MLS goals leader, surpassing Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, Atlanta United’s Giorgos Giakoumakis and FC Dallas’ Jesus Ferreira.
The 28-year-old, in his fourth MLS season, became just the third player in MLS history to score 50 goals and 30 assists in a three-year span. After playing his 97th game on Saturday, Mukhtar has 56 goals in regular season action.
But a hat trick wasn’t the heaviest on his mind. Mukhtar’s performance, in his opinion, was missing something.
“I have to say sorry to Shaq (Moore),” Mukhtar said about a fast break in the 88th minute. “He gave me a great assist for the fourth one — that’s my mentality. I want to score more. I was angry I didn’t score the fourth goal, but happy that we got the three points and that I could help.”
Still, Mukhtar clapped the fans as he trotted off the field four minutes into stoppage time, being substituted for midfielder Brian Anunga, as the sellout crowd of 31,109 sang “M-V-P!” until Mukhtar plopped into his seat on the bench.
VAR troubles in first half
Referee Nima Saghafi made two calls in the first half that were checked by the video assistant referee. The outcomes to both reviews were questionable.
In the seventh minute, Nashville’s Jack Maher and Gioacchini got tangled up in the penalty box when a cross soared into their strides. The original call was no penalty, despite Maher making contact Gioacchini, preventing the forward from reaching the ball. The call stood.
But in the 41st minute, Gioacchini was ruled offside when the ball bobbled to him at the back post, despite scoring with his arm and subsequently falling to the turf. Saghafi, again, reverted to VAR. This time, he ruled Gioacchini scored with his rib cage.
Moment of silence
Nashville and St. Louis City supporters collectively held a moment of silence in the 35th minute, paying tribute to Nashville supporter Ben Cowherd, who died in a motorcycle crash on June 11. According to News Channel 5, his motorcycle was hit by a vehicle at the Nolensville Pike and Thompson Lane intersection. Cowherd was a prominent member of The Roadies supporters’ group and a local sound engineer.
For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at [email protected]. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.