Nashville SC turned a controlled home performance into a convincing 3-0 Major League Soccer victory over Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night at GEODIS Park.
Sam Surridge gave Nashville the breakthrough in the 33rd minute, sending the hosts into the interval with a deserved one-goal advantage. Nashville had the greater share of the ball and carried more of the attacking threat, using 55.7 percent possession while consistently pushing Chicago back.
The Fire remained within reach for much of the second half, but Nashville found the decisive second goal in the 78th minute through Cristian Espinoza. The strike gave the home side breathing room and reflected their greater cutting edge in the final third.
Hany Mukhtar then put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute, completing the 3-0 scoreline after an influential evening that also saw him booked in the first half.
Nashville finished with 13 shots and five on target, compared with Chicago’s nine attempts and just one effort on target. The hosts also won five corners to Chicago’s two, underlining a disciplined display in which they controlled territory, limited the visitors’ clear openings and took their own chances.
The result moves Nashville SC to a 17-6-3 record, while Chicago Fire FC fall to 11-6-8. Nashville return to action against Toronto FC on September 26, while Chicago will look to respond against Charlotte FC on the same day.
Goals
- 33′ — Sam Surridge, Nashville SC
- 78′ — Cristian Espinoza, Nashville SC
- 87′ — Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
