Nashville SC delivered a statement performance at GEODIS Park on Saturday night, dismantling FC Cincinnati 4-0 in Major League Soccer. Sam Surridge opened the scoring before half-time, Hany Mukhtar doubled the advantage early in the second half, and late finishes from substitutes Bryan Acosta and Ahmed Qasim put an emphatic edge on the final scoreline.
The hosts struck at a crucial moment in the 43rd minute. Surridge rose to head Nashville in front, turning a tight contest into a 1-0 half-time lead and giving the home side a platform to control the second period.
Cincinnati remained involved and actually tested Nashville’s goal regularly, finishing with eight shots on target from 15 attempts. But Nashville were ruthless in the decisive areas, despite having only a narrow 51.4% share of possession. The home side generated 19 shots, put seven on target and made their clinical edge count.
Mukhtar supplied the pivotal second goal in the 53rd minute, extending Nashville’s lead and shifting the momentum firmly toward the home side. From there, Nashville defended with discipline and managed the match effectively as Cincinnati struggled to convert their pressure into a breakthrough.
The closing stages became a celebration for the GEODIS Park crowd. Acosta made it 3-0 in the 89th minute, before Qasim added a fourth in the sixth minute of stoppage time, at 90’+6′. Nashville finished with four goals from four different scorers and a clean sheet to underline the completeness of the display.
The result moves Nashville SC to a 15-4-2 record, while FC Cincinnati fall to 8-7-6. Nashville return to action against New York City FC on Friday, September 4, while Cincinnati host D.C. United on Saturday, September 5.
Goals
- Nashville SC: Sam Surridge 43′
- Nashville SC: Hany Mukhtar 53′
- Nashville SC: Bryan Acosta 89′
- Nashville SC: Ahmed Qasim 90’+6′
