Folks, he’s back. Nashville SC attacker Hany Mukhtar, who scored goals in the 15th and 17th minutes in a win over Colorado Rapids – just the second and third goals from the run of play allowed by the Rapids this year (beaten only by teammate CJ Sapong a few minutes earlier) – has been named to the Week 14 MLS Team of the Week. He was joined by head coach Gary Smith, who led Nashville to a 3-1 victory over the squad he helmed to an MLS Cup title in 2010.
It was just a one-week hiatus for Mukhtar, having been named in Week 12, as well. it’s his third honor, having previously been named to the Week Eight squad. Smith was previously honored in Week One. Nashville as a team has 11 members of a TOTW so far. In addition to Mukhtar’s three selections and Smith’s two, midfielder Aníbal Godoy joined Smith on the list in Week One, Walker Zimmerman got the nod after Week Four, Dave Romney and Randall Leal in Week Six, and Romney again in Week 10. CJ Sapong represented the club on last week’s list.
In addition to his pair of goals – one a beautiful stepover into lefty finish, the other a header after a cross – Mukhtar completed 14/17 passes, was fouled four times, and took two other shots (both on-target). He played 82 minutes as Nashville cruised to victory after the early 3-0 lead. He finished second in Player of the Week voting.
Mukhtar and most of his teammates have a bit of time off with a FIFA International window upon us (Godoy and Zimmerman, called up to the national teams of Panama and the United States, respectively, are the exceptions). They return to action June 11 for a match against San Jose Earthquakes. The Quakes earned a surprising draw against Nashville in North California earlier this season, and the Boys in Gold are certain to want revenge at GEODIS Park.
Club and Country 