NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Soccer Club exited the locker room for the second half on Wednesday night against Orlando City SC with a clear mission: attack, attack, attack.
As it turned out, the two players that ended up producing the second-half equalizer in the 1-1 draw were the ones leading the charge going forward: midfielder Hany Mukhtar and winger Randall Leal.
Leal and Mukhtar have been the two leaders in shots so far this season for the Boys in Gold, and they finally linked up for a goal in the 47’ minute when Mukhtar laid a pass forward for Leal to run onto and finish. The goal gave Leal his first Major League Soccer goal and Mukhtar’s second assist.
According to Head Coach Gary Smith, the link-up was a long time coming for the two creative and dynamic players.
“It is just nice to see those two combine,” Smith said. “There was a real energy about the opening exchanges, and I’m delighted to see those two in the thick of it. We’ve been in very good positions and Randall more so than Hany, has had some great chances to open his account and hasn’t been able to. So it was very, very pleasing not only to see him score, but obviously to get ourselves back on track so early and give the group a lift in that second period.”
The creative build-up between Leal, Mukhtar and midfielder Anibal Godoy that led to the goal was a welcome sight for Smith. He was especially happy to see Mukhtar heavily involved, as the 25-year-old German designated player has had a lot to adjust to this season under arduous circumstances.
“I believe the creative players and that connection and synergy can be the last area of the team to fire on all cylinders,” Smith said. “Hany is a very talented lad. Let’s not forget he’s come from Europe, he’s had to re-adapt while living through some real difficulties in a stop-start season. There’s a lot of adapting in his world, let alone in his game. He’s running into opponents he’s not seen before and individuals in his own team that he’s still trying to build relationships with. I see flashes of the quality that he’s capable of, and I think with all of our creative players, we’re just looking for a bit more consistency. Slowly but surely we’re starting to see some signs of what they’re capable of with the ball and in front of goal.”
Prior to Wednesday night, Mukhtar had assisted on defender Dave Romney’s set piece goal on the road at Orlando a week prior and took the free kick that led to defender Walker Zimmerman’s history-making goal on opening night in February. Even with those early contributions, Mukhtar knows he has more to offer the team and hopes he can help win matches however he can.
“Obviously I hope I can score more goals and get more assists, but in the end it’s more important that the team is successful,” Mukhtar said. “I do my best to help the team as much as possible, but for me it’s a tough year. I don’t want to find excuses or anything. I need to work harder up to my level where I can really help the team with more goals and more assists.”
For Leal, the goal was a big moment for him in his career, but he would have been happier with all three points in the end. He’ll have another opportunity to score and secure a win on Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale against Inter Miami CF.
“I am very happy about it,” Leal said of his goal. “We wanted to win but it’s okay after two home games. We have to go to Miami and try to get the three points and go higher in the table.”
