Recap: Nashville SC close out 2024 season with win in Chicago

Nashville SC and Chicago Fire were both eliminated from playoff contention weeks before their Decision Day match kicked off on Saturday. But it was the visitors who closed out their season on a positive note, walking away with a 3-0 victory.

The XI

BJ Callaghan was adamant that starting spots would be earned in training throughout the week, just as in a normal week. He stuck with that, naming a very strong lineup to what amounted to a purely academic match.

Elliot Panicco got the nod in goal, while stalwart Taylor Washington got a rare start at left back. Shaq Moore, Teal Bunbury and Dru Yearwood all missed out after questionable designations ahead of the match, while defender Lukas MacNaughton made his return to the team after suffering an ankle fracture in April.

On the pitch

Nashville were the protagonists from the outset. The visitors generated the bulk of the chances in the first half, but a combination of missed finishes and good goalkeeping from Chris Brady kept things level through the break. Hany Mukhtar, in particular, was frustrated. The 2022 MLS MVP needed two goals to become the first player in league history to log double digit goals and assists in four consecutive seasons. He couldn’t narrowly missing the at far post and seeing a point-blank effort save by Brady.

After the break, the Coyotes pulled ahead. Alex Muyl scored his third goal in as many matches, as his shot from the edge of the box took a hefty deflection en route to the back of the net. Sam Surridge’s strike, though, needed no help. The former Nottingham Forest man picked up the ball from substitute Randall Leal in midfield, beating six defenders before slotting into the goal.

Four minutes later, Jacob Shaffelburg made it three, scoring his second league goal of the season with a silky finish at the near post.

The big picture

While the result was purely academic, it was at least a positive finish to what has been the worst season in Nashville SC history. With 62% of the league qualifying for the postseason, Nashville failed to meet the minimum expectations, and the year will ultimately be judged as a failure.

However, Nashville made some significant improvements under BJ Callaghan, even if those improvements didn’t directly lead to results. Nashville have a clear vision for how to play, and while it will take time to fully implement, the glimpses they showed at the end of 2024 at least offer a sliver of promise for the future.

Up next

With no matches left in 2024, Nashville aren’t going straight into offseason mode. Quite the opposite.

“There will be no rest. The players will have a week off. Early next week, we’ll go through some of the evaluation period,” said Callaghan. “And then we’re going to get right back and start training. That’s sort of our mentality. We’re not happy with the way the whole season went. We know this is an opportunity for us to improve. And while the teams that are playing in the playoffs are playing, we’re already going to start doing our work in preparation for 2025.”

Sam Surridge echoed those sentiments.

“I can’t lie, I’m looking forward to preseason,” he said. “I think it’s going to be nice where we go away as a team and you can really get to what he wants from the group. I think that’s going to be big for us.”

Nashville’s end-of-season roster decisions and other roster news is expected shortly.

Post-match media

Stats

Possession: CHI 49% – 51% NSH
Passes completed: CHI 390 – 425 NSH
Shots: CHI 12 – 16 NSH
Shots on goal: CHI 6 – NSH
Penalty kicks: CHI 0 – 0 NSH
Expected goals: CHI 1.30 – 2.26 NSH
Goals: CHI 0 – 3 NSH
Fouls: CHI 13 – 7 NSH
Yellow cards: CHI 1 – 3 NSH
Red cards: CHI 0 – 0 NSH