Nashville Blanks Columbus, Shares First Place in East

Hany Mukhtar's late goal lifts Nashville SC over the Crew

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:35am

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In a tight defensive battle, Nashville SC defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday night, with Hany Mukhtar scoring the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. The result sees Nashville move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Crew remain winless through their first four matches of the season.

Why it matters

This victory keeps Nashville SC unbeaten and in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Crew's struggles to find their footing under a new coach continue. The match highlighted the defensive strengths of both teams, with few clear-cut scoring chances throughout the game.

The details

Mukhtar's late goal came after he received a pass in the box from teammate Cristian Espinosa, who had spun a defender around twice before setting up the finish. Despite Columbus controlling possession for the majority of the match, they were unable to convert that into goals, with their best chance coming in stoppage time when Max Arfsten's long-range shot hit the crossbar. Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake recorded his second clean sheet of the season, making two saves in the victory.

  • The game-winning goal was scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The players

Hany Mukhtar

The Nashville SC forward scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Cristian Espinosa

The Nashville SC midfielder provided the assist on the game-winning goal, spinning a defender around twice before setting up Mukhtar.

Brian Schwake

The Nashville SC goalkeeper recorded his second clean sheet of the season, making two saves in the victory.

Patrick Schulte

The Columbus Crew goalkeeper made three saves in the match.

Max Arfsten

The Columbus Crew midfielder had the Crew's best chance of the match, hitting the crossbar with a long-range shot in stoppage time.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game highlighted the defensive strengths of both Nashville SC and the Columbus Crew, with few clear-cut scoring chances throughout the match. Nashville's late game-winning goal from Hany Mukhtar allowed them to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Crew remain winless through their first four matches of the season.