Recap: Nashville SC 2, CF Montréal 1

Ben Wright

A second-half goal from Hany Mukhtar proved to be the winner for Nashville SC as the Coyotes defeated CF Montréal, 2-1, at GEODIS Park on Wednesday night.

Nashville took the lead through Alex Muyl after an energetic start. The wingback brought down a long diagonal ball from Joe Willis before dribbling into the box, skating past a pair of Montréal defenders before unleashing a left-footed laser into the side netting.

Minutes after halftime, Mukhtar doubled the advantage. The 2021 Landon Donovan MLS MVP runner-up was the beneficiary of some exemplary holdup play from CJ Sapong, who shielded the ball excellently before setting Mukhtar up for a tap-in.

Montréal pulled a goal back four minutes later through Kei Kamara, who took advantage of a sloppy bit of play from Willis to bundle the ball in from close range. It wasn't enough to earn a result for the visitors, but it was enough for Kamara to move up to fourth all-time in goals scored in league history.

Goals

28' – NSH – Alex Muyl | WATCH
51' – NSH – Hany Mukhtar | WATCH
55' – MTL – Kei Kamara | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: After a dismal 2-0 loss in Houston and a loaded Gary Smith press conference, Nashville responded strongly, knocking off the top side in the Eastern Conference. They've now gone 23 matches unbeaten at home with a home-heavy end to the season. With the loss, Montréal fall to third in the East, but only a point out of first and a long stint at Stade Saputo on the horizon.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Hany Mukhtar's early second-half goal secured the result for Nashville and firmly swung momentum in their direction.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Brian Anunga came into the side to give Sean Davis a rest and rewarded Smith's trust with a strong showing, completing 88% of his passes and keeping Victor Wanyama largely in check.