Mike Meredith/Cub and Country
After a few weeks off, Nashville SC is once against represented in MLS’s Team of the Matchdate. Forward Hany Mukhtar is named to the team after finishing as a runner-up for Player of the Matchdate.
Mukhtar assisted Fafa Picault on a quickly-taken long free kick for the goal that would ultimately stand as the game-winner, and added the insurance tally on a short-angle strike in the waning minutes of the contest. In addition to his two other shots (neither on target), he completed 13/15 passes and 1/4 dribbles. He also won possession twice and was fouled four times.
Mukhtar was named to the MLS Team of the Week seven times in 2022 (Player of the Week thrice) and was honored as the league’s MVP at the conclusion of the season. This is his first honor of 2023.
Zimmerman anchored a backline that kept a clean sheet (for which the goalkeeper, who had the best statistical performance in the league by a wide margin, was not honored, inexplicably). In the process, he completed 27/32 passes, won possession back six times, and blocked three shots.
Zimmerman was named to the Team of the Matchdate after the season-opening win against NYCFC, and that was NSC’s only honor until today, though Nashville has also had TOTM bench honors for Jacob Shaffelburg (Matchdates 1 and 3),
Club and Country 