Mike Meredith/Club and Country
At long last, a Nashville SC player other than the reigning league MVP or former two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been named to the MLS Team of the Week. Indeed, it’s Lukas MacNaughton – whose playing time has come in relief of an injured Walker Zimmerman who makes the Matchdate 13 cut.
MacNaughton scored what ultimately proved to be the game-winning goal, heading home a cross from Shaq Moore in the 49th minute.
In addition to his attacking exploits, MacNaughton completed 94.2% of his passes, engaged in four duels, made one interception and four clearances, and recovered five loose balls. He was a key member of what was a shutout effort until the penultimate kick of the game – and while he’ll regret losing the clean sheet like the rest of his teammates, they managed to suppress an Inter Miami team that had every reason to push numbers forward all match.
This is MacNaughton’s first career Team of the Matchdate selection, as he did not earn the honor during his time with Toronto FC – from which he joined Nashville SC near the end of April. His goal was the first of his career, as well.
Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman were both named to the Teams of Matchdate 6, 10, and 11 as a duo. Zimmerman was also among the honored for the opening weekend of MLS play. They had been the only two Nashville SC players to be selected so far this season.
Club and Country 