Soccer <\/p>\n
NASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2013 Nashville SC<\/a> picked up exactly where they left off before the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> break.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Coyotes resumed their dominant 2026 campaign by grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win<\/a> over regional rivals Atlanta United<\/a> on Friday night, with\u00a0Shak Mohammed<\/a>\u2019s 79th-minute header extending their winning streak to four matches and their unbeaten run to nine.<\/p>\n With 36 points (11W-1L-3D record), Nashville have now opened a four-point cushion over Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> and the San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> atop the MLS standings, further strengthening their Supporters’ Shield credentials.<\/p>\n “The foundation of what we always want to be is a team that competes with a really strong mentality and competes with intensity,” head coach B.J. Callaghan told reporters post-match.<\/p>\n “Those are things that we can control. I think you saw that on display tonight, and really proud of the group, of the way that they just handled a bunch of different factors.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Mohammed was a surprise name in the starting lineup. With Cristian Espinoza<\/a> and Warren Madrigal<\/a> out injured, and newly-signed winger Elias Saad<\/a> still awaiting his visa, Mohammed earned just his second regular-season start for the Coyotes.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 22-year-old made the most of it, giving Nashville the win by nodding home Alex Muyl<\/a>‘s cross with a pinpoint header.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was the second-ever MLS goal for Mohammed, selected No. 2 overall by Orlando City<\/a> in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.\u00a0 His first also came against Atlanta, in the reverse fixture – a 2-0 victory<\/a> at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in April.<\/p>\n Friday’s came at GEODIS Park, sending the capacity crowd \u2013 and Nashville players \u2013 into a jubilant celebration.<\/p>\n “Every time you score a goal, it’s so emotional, because it’s so hard \u2013 it’s the hardest thing to do in football,” Mohammed said. “It’s different at home than away. I don’t even remember what exactly happened \u2013 all the noise, I see Maxwell [Woledzi] tackling me, I see Hany [Mukhtar] running around, I see the whole team. God knows what it’s just chaos, and I don’t remember the moment.<\/p>\n “It’s amazing, and it is truly a blessing.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n One to remember, Shak \ud83e\udef6\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded pic.twitter.com\/CbJr2SNkRQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n After a nearly two-month break, Nashville have a jam-packed schedule ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n That includes Wednesday’s home fixture against CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>) and a July 25 visit to Antoine Griezmann<\/a> and Orlando City (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Next month, the Coyotes will participate in Leagues Cup<\/a> 2026. Finalists in 2023, the Coyotes will host LIGA MX’s Club Le\u00f3n on August 5 in their tournament opener.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nMohammed’s moment<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Dog days of summer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n