NASHVILLE, TN – Lukas MacNaughton’s first-ever MLS goal would prove to be the winner on Wednesday night. The Coyotes won for the fifth time in their last six matches, beating Inter Miami CF at Geodis Park.
The XI
No real changes to the starting lineup for Gary Smith. Sean Davis slotted in for Dax McCarty, while Randall Leal made the bench after missing the last 11 league matches with a hamstring issue. Captain Walker Zimmerman missed his fourth-straight match with a groin injury suffered in training.
On the pitch
Fafà Picault’s third goal of the season opened the scoring, but it was Hany Mukhtar’s sixth assist that stole the show. The reigning MVP got on the end of a pinpoint pass from Aníbal Godoy before turning defender Christopher McVey inside out, finding Picault with a cut back for a simple finish.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Lukas MacNaughton doubled the lead. The Canadian center back got on the end of a cross from Shaq Moore, heading the ball over ‘keeper Drake Callendar to find the goal for the first time in his MLS career.
Miami pulled a goal back with the last kick of the game. Joe Willis spilled a corner kick into the path of Dixon Arroyo, who ripped a shot off the underside of the bar and in, stealing a clean sheet away from the hosts at the death.
The big picture
Nashville SC continue their dominance against Miami, winning for the fourth time in seven matches. It’s been seven matches since their last loss, and they’re pushing Cincinnati and New England at the top of the Eastern Conference table.
They’ll turn around and face Miami again in the US Open Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday, with MLS matches against Charlotte FC and Columbus Crew on either side. But despite a crowded schedule, this side seems closer to silverware than perhaps any other in club history.
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