Nashville SC's Victory Marks a Groundbreaking 2023 Super Bowl Preview!
Hany Mukhtar's stoppage-time goal for Nashville SC against the Columbus Crew was not only the game-winner but the 25,000th in MLS history.
Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar didn't know how historically significant his goal against the Columbus Crew on March 14 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field was. To be fair, no one should have expected him to. His goal was the 25,000th in the history of Major League Soccer, which is probably just slightly more than the average person can fathom.
And MLS goal No. 25,000 was far more important than just a footnote. It was a dramatic, stoppage-time winner on the road, which delivered Nashville SC (3-0-1, 10 points) a 1-0 victory over Columbus (0-2-2, two points).
In the process, Nashville extended its season-opening unbeaten streak across all competitions to seven games, tying the club record set in 2022. MORE: Is Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi a 'rivalry' yet? If not, it's close In the 94th minute, Andy Najar passed to Cristian Espinoza , who timed his run from the edge of the penalty box, got the ball and sent Crew defender Rudy Camacho to the ground with a quick crossover dribble.
That move created enough space for Espinoza to cross to Mukhtar, who only needed to tap the ball home. "We know how difficult it is in MLS to get the win on the road," Mukhtar said. "But I have to give all the credit to Cristian Espinoza.