Nashville SC forward Hany Mukhtar insisted “it’s time for a trophy for this team” as they prepare to take on Atlanta United in their first game back from the World Cup break.
After winning three consecutive matches before the break, Nashville are top of the Eastern Conference, sitting two points ahead of Inter Miami with a game in hand.
B.J. Callaghan’s side have only lost one of their first 14 games in 2026, as Mukhtar (six goals, four assists) and Sam Surridge (nine goals) lead the Nashville attack.
Nashville won their first major trophy last year, lifting the US Open Cup, but Mukhtar believes the club are ready to fight for bigger accolades.
“It’s time for a trophy for this team,” Mukhtar told MLSsoccer.com.
“We won the Open Cup last year, and it was great. But we have bigger goals as a club, and I think it’s time. We’re growing, and we’re ready to achieve these things.”
Mukhtar was also full of praise for head coach Callaghan, who reflects the culture of the club.
“B.J. is an excellent coach, very talented coach,” added Mukhtar.
“What impresses me most is that he’s always willing to improve – constantly willing to improve the team, constantly willing to adjust and make players better and better and better.
“And that is, I think, the culture at this club. We want to get better, we want to improve, and we find solutions for problems.
“He has a clear idea how to play, and this is very good so far. But we are just midseason, so we have a long way to go.”
The gang’s back together again
Shoutout to everyone who came to meet the guys yesterday pic.twitter.com/9ttPt9DSPI
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 15, 2026
Atlanta, meanwhile, entered the break on a four-game winless run, which included a US Open Cup quarter-final defeat to Orlando City.
The Five Stripes are 14th in the East heading into this clash, though a win against the conference leaders could turn their season around.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Mukhtar has scored eight goals against Atlanta in all competitions, with only Lucho Acosta (nine) scoring more against the Five Stripes.
However, Atlanta have kept Mukhtar off the scoresheet in all three meetings since the start of the 2025 season after he had scored in six of the previous nine meetings.
Atlanta United – Aleksey Miranchuk
Aleksey Miranchuk has scored five MLS goals so far this season, the most of any Atlanta player.
He has also provided two assists, but has not directly contributed to any goals in his last four games across all competitions.
MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN
Nashville are the sixth team in MLS history to record at least 33 points through their first 14 matches of a season, and just the second in the last 15 years (FC Cincinnati – 33 in 2023).
The previous five all went on to win the Supporters’ Shield, though just one, Sporting Kansas City in 2000, won the MLS Cup.
Nashville recorded a 2–0 win at Atlanta on April 18 in the first meeting between the sides this season. The only time one team defeated the other twice in a single regular season was in 2020, when Atlanta won two of three matches (L1).
Despite collecting just 11 points through 14 matches this season, Atlanta are just seven points outside of the playoffs.
Three teams in the last decade have had 11 or fewer points through 14 matches of a season and made the playoffs: D.C. United in 2018, Inter Miami in 2020 and Kansas City in 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC – 65.9%
Draw – 18.2%
Atlanta United – 15.9%
