MLS All-Star Andy Najar was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday bench after starring in Nashville SC’s 3-1 win against Houston Dynamo on Saturday, a win which confirmed his team’s spot in the postseason.
Nashville entered Saturday’s match hoping to channel the dominant home form that sent the club as high as second in the Supporters Shield Standing earlier this summer, knowing it needed a win or favorable results elsewhere to confirm its spot in the postseason.
Nashville’s place was already secured by halftime with New York Red Bulls’ defeat at New York City FC but what transpired at GEODIS Park afterward was nothing short of perfect for the Boys in Gold: a comfortable 3-1 win against 10 men, playoff berth and trio of goals reminiscent of the best version of Nashville this season.
Few players shone brighter in the win than 2025 All-Star fullback Andy Najar. The Honduran was instrumental to two of Nashville’s goals, in addition to a characteristically commanding performance on the right side of defense.
Najar’s first contribution came inside two minutes, when he blitzed down the wing and stung a ball across the box, causing chaos in Houston’s defense. Alex Muyl’s intense press allowed him to seize the ball and nudge it straight into the path of captain and MVP candidate Hany Mukhtar, who swept a low shot first-time past the keeper to hand Nashville an early lead.
Najar’s biggest impact, however, came just moments after golden boot hopeful Sam Surridge’s side-footed finish handed Nashville a 2-1 advantage inside three minutes of the halftime restart.
Not two minutes later, midfielder Eddi Tagseth floated a sublime ball over the Houston defense, finding Mukhtar on the touchline. The captain crossed toward Surridge, whose close-range header was saved, only to fall at a surging Najar’s foot. The right-back lashed his laces through the ball on the volley, ringing the far post as it lasered in.
The goal marked Najar’s second of the season and his 12th goal contribution overall.
