Nashville SC's Ahmed Qasem, with 2-point game, finding his rhythm in MLS

Ahmed Qasem knows he can be hard on himself. Fourteen months into his time with Nashville SC , Qasem hasn't made the impact he likely envisioned when the club signed him for a reported $4. 2 million transfer fee.

The forward from Sweden has been in and out of the lineup during his time in MLS. He had two goals and one assist in 28 league games (12 starts) last season, and went scoreless in his first eight games (three starts) in 2026. Not all of that has been Qasem's fault.

For starters, he's only 22. He had little time to acclimate to his new home last year, arriving from IK Elfsborg just days before the season began, and had to compete for playing time on the wing, Nashville's most crowded position group. He also missed the final two months with an ankle injury.

Nashville's 4-2 win over Charlotte FC on April 25 at Geodis Park was a reminder of why general manager Mike Jacobs made Qasem the third-most expensive acquisition in club history. Qasem had his best game yet for Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points), scoring his first MLS goal since March 2025 and assisting on another. MORE: Nashville SC beats Charlotte FC 4-2, remains atop MLS Eastern Conference "He's a young player, still developing, and we're going to continue to help him develop," coach B.