Nashville SC achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever victory at Red Bull New York, thanks to a late goal from Maxwell Woledzi. The match, held in Harrison, N.J., saw Nashville continue to build on their impressive form, following a significant win that expanded their lead in the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Match Overview

Coming off a commanding performance against the second-place team, Nashville faced a challenging encounter against Red Bull New York. Despite missing key players Andy Najar and Cristian Espinoza in the starting lineup, Nashville showcased their depth, particularly on the wings. The dribbling skills of Elias Saad and Shak Mohammed, combined with the support from Dan Lovitz and Reed Baker-Whiting, created several opportunities that put pressure on New York's defense.

On the other hand, New York's midfield trio of Emil Forsberg, Adri Mehmeti, and Ronald Donkor aimed to dominate Nashville's two-man midfield. With a combined total of 17 league assists prior to the match, they supported the young striker Julian Hall, who has been making waves in MLS. Although New York generated more chances throughout the game, Nashville's resilience ultimately proved decisive.

Decisive Moments

The introduction of Najar and Espinoza after the hour mark shifted the momentum in Nashville's favor. In the 81st minute, an Espinoza corner kick initially seemed to lead to a goal, but it was ruled offside after Sam Surridge's pass found Woledzi. However, Nashville's persistence paid off in the dying moments of the match. During the second of seven minutes of added time, Espinoza delivered a well-placed free kick that Woledzi converted, marking his second goal against New York teams in 2026 and making him the first Nashville player to score at Red Bull.

This victory not only strengthens Nashville's position at the top of the MLS table, now seven points clear, but also highlights their ability to perform under pressure and secure crucial wins on the road.