Nashville SC kept its hot streak alive on Saturday, May 24, with a gritty 2-1 road win over Toronto FC at BMO Field. The result extended the club’s unbeaten run across all competitions to eight matches, as Sam Surridge again proved clinical in front of goal. His two tallies bring him to eight on the year, moving him into a tie for fourth on the MLS scoring chart behind Tai Baribo, Brian White, and Cristian Arango.
The evening also featured the return of captain Walker Zimmerman, who stepped back onto the pitch for the first time since April 5. He entered midway through the second half and immediately helped steady a Nashville backline under pressure. On the attacking end, defender Andy Najar continued his quietly stellar season, notching an assist that ties him with Dan Lovitz for most goal contributions by an MLS defender this year.
The Boys in Gold set the tone early with continued high pressure, forcing Toronto into turnovers in their own half. The high press has been a key component of Nashville’s current winning streak, often having six or more players in the opponent’s half when they’re in possession.
Nashville looked to be the better team in the first half, but Jacob Shaffleburg missed a point-blank early chance. The teams went into the half tied at zero.
The second half started with Nashville again keeping the pressure on and causing turnovers. Against the run of play, Joe Willis was forced to make his first save of the game when Ola Brynhildsen put a bicycle kick on frame from the top of the box. The Nashville keeper reacted well, pushing the ball to the right of his net.
Nashville finally broke through in the 57th minute off a beautiful first-touch pass from Hany Mukhtar to Surridge, who was waiting near the back post to tap it in. A few minutes later, a flurry of shots would be blocked by Toronto defenders, with a final glancing save from Sean Johnson that he was able to redirect off the post and out.
Toronto responded well with a stint of pressure, forcing Willis to make two more saves. In the 73rd minute, Coach BJ Callahan made a switch, bringing in Zimmerman to lock down the backline and stop the pressure. The perennial defender-of-the-year candidate immediately made an impact, clearing a dangerous cross out of Nashville’s box.
The tactic worked, as Nashville absorbed Toronto’s pressure over the next 15 minutes. Then, in the 89th minute, Surridge would seal the victory with his second goal of the night. After a weaving, long run, Jonathan Pérez would slide a nice pass to his right to find Surridge, who buried it in the top of the net.
Jonathan Osorio would quickly get one back for Toronto, but it was too little, too late. Nashville was able to see out the final minutes of stoppage time and seal the victory. The Boys in Gold have gone five straight games undefeated now against Toronto.
Efficiency continues to define Nashville’s attack. Saturday marked the seventh time this season they’ve surpassed two expected goals (xG), a sign the offense is not only creating chances but finishing them. Mukhtar’s fifth assist of the year puts him level for the team lead and boosts his season total to 11 direct goal contributions.
In 15 matches, Nashville has scored 26 goals, already ahead of their pace from a year ago. That output places them seventh in the league for total goals, just behind the Philadelphia Union. They’ve found ways to balance disciplined defending with direct attacking, and the results are piling up.
Following the win, Nashville SC is in third place in the Eastern Conference with 27 points, level with Orlando SC and Columbus. Philadelphia and Cincinnati remain in front, but not by much. Their next test is a tough road fixture against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, May 28, a match that could shape the top of the table.
Saturday’s 2-1 win at Toronto wasn’t just another notch in Nashville SC’s unbeaten belt; it was proof of concept. They’re winning on the road. They’re pressing with intent. They’re getting results even when matches stretch into uneasy territory.
With Zimmerman back, Surridge surging, and Mukhtar pulling strings in midfield, this group is starting to look like a legitimate contender. If the cohesion holds, and the goals keep flowing, Nashville just might have the right mix for a championship push.
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