Though Nashville SC star Hany Mukhtar and Toronto FC standout Federico Bernardeschi had their moments, their two sides played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn.
While reigning Major League Soccer MVP Mukhtar seemed to have his chances at an offensive breakthrough throughout the contest, Nashville (3-2-2, 11 points) went without a goal for the fourth time this season. However, it has also recorded five shutouts while conceding just two goals in 2023.
Meanwhile, Toronto (1-1-5, eight points) held 59.9 percent of the possession and outshot Nashville 10-8 in overall shot attempts, but also could not break through. Despite the result, TFC did manage to extend their unbeaten streak to six matches. Bernardeschi, who has scored three of his team's eight goals this season, picked up his efforts in the second half.
He set up Richie Laryea in the 74th minute, but Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis made a sliding stop to thwart the effort. Then, Bernardeschi sent a tasty drive, via a free kick, at the net, but Willis made a diving hand save in the 81st.
Four minutes later, Willis again pounced on a net-front ball served in by Bernardeschi, and with a chance for Jonathan Osorio to strike. Michael Bradley nearly headed home Bernardeschi's corner in second-half stoppage time, but the ball sailed over the bar to serve as the final quality chance for either club.
The first half was plenty physical and certainly chippy, with both teams combining for three yellow cards. However, the sides combined for just six total shots with each team putting one on target, but neither posed any real danger to veteran Toronto keeper Sean Johnson or Willis.
Six minutes into the second half, Mukhtar delivered a solid strike from the side of the box as the result of a Nashville corner. However, Johnson was able to grab the grounder. A surging Mukhtar had another quality chance just beyond the hour mark, but his laser, again from the side of the box, was caught by a leaping Johnson.
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