Nashville SC go ahead early in 2nd half, top Charlotte FC

Nashville SC scored two goals in an eventful five-minute span early in the second half in a 2-1 win over visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday night.

Nashville (6-4-2, 20 points) is unbeaten in its last three games and moved past Charlotte (6-5-1, 19 points) into fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The clubs have split their meetings this season, each winning 2-1 at home.

Charlotte, which has lost three straight, momentarily took the lead just after halftime when Liel Abada put the visitors on top in the 48th minute. Abada leads Charlotte with four goals.

Nashville would waste no time, however, as it drew level just one minute later on a great bit of skill from Hany Mukhtar.

Mukhtar, who scored Nashville's lone goal in its defeat at Charlotte on April 5, received a backheel flick pass from Alex Muyl in the box before chesting it down and burying a volley off the far left post that found the back of the net. Mukhtar has five goals on the season.

Five minutes later, the comeback was complete as Jacob Shaffelburg received a square pass from Andy Najar just inside the box and calmly pushed it to his left before smashing it to the near post, giving the home side the lead. It was Shaffelburg's first goal of the season.

Nashville picked up its fifth win at home while Charlotte's road struggles (1-4-1) continued despite the return of star Pep Biel. The early MVP candidate was back after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. Biel (three goals, six assists) played 66 minutes before being subbed off without recording a shot on goal.

Charlotte nearly grabbed the lead in the 12th minute off a Nashville miscue deep in their own half but goalie Joe Willis (three saves) was able to provide a timely kick save on Wilfried Zaha's right footed shot from just outside the 6-yard box.

Sam Surridge turned in a one-time shot in the 38th minute but the save was relatively routine for Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina (seven saves).