Hany Mukhtar scores 2 goals, Nashville beats Toronto 2-0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hany Mukhtar scored two goals, his third multi-goal game this season, and Joe Willis had three saves to help Nashville SC beat Toronto FC 2-0 on Saturday night for its third win in a row.

Nashville (18-3-6) is the points leader in all of MLS with 60 — 10 more than any other team — and is the only team to already clinch a spot in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs. Vancouver leads the Western Conference with 50 points.

Luka Gavran had a season-high nine saves for Toronto (6-10-11), which has lost three consecutive games. Gavran had a career-high 10 saves in a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati on Sept. 30, 2023.

Elias Saad intercepted a clearance attempt near the left corner of the penalty area a chipped a cross to the back post. Cristian Espinoza bounced a centering header back to Mukhtar for the half-volley finish from point-blank range that made it 1-0 in the 16th minute.

In the 43rd, Mukhtar skipped a shot from 23 yards out inside the back post to give Nashville a 2-0 lead.

Hany Mukhtar scores 2 goals, Nashville beats Toronto 2-0 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) leaps for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nashville had 62% possession and outshot Toronto 22-11, 11-3 on target.

Up next

Toronto: Hosts Montreal on Oct. 10.

Nashville: Plays Oct. 10 at Austin.

Hany Mukhtar scores 2 goals, Nashville beats Toronto 2-0 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto FC forward Theo Corbeanu, left, battles for the ball with Nashville SC forward Elias Saad, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Hany Mukhtar scores 2 goals, Nashville beats Toronto 2-0 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto FC defender Kobe Franklin, left, battles for the ball with Nashville SC forward Elias Saad (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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