Nashville SC continued on their MLS-record pace in incredible fashion, with Andy Nájar providing one of the clutchest moments of the season so far.
The Coyote’s 33-year-old fullback put the finishing touches on a sensational comeback, netting the second of two stoppage-time goals in the fifth minute of second-half added time to secure a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew and earn Energy Moment of the Matchday presented by Celsius honors for Matchday 22.
Nájar's strike came moments after Reed Baker-Whiting tied the game at 2-2 in the 93rd minute, and seconds after head coach B.J. Callaghan was heard on the Apple TV broadcast, asking him, “Give everything you’ve got for two minutes!"
"The group is a confident group," said Callaghan post-match. "Their confidence comes from doing the things that they say they want to do. This group wants to go out and win every game. I know everybody wants to do that, but when you have the opportunity to do it, you have to show that you want to do it.
"I think when everybody plays with this selflessness and wants to see each guy and each teammate shine, special things can happen."
Saturday’s dramatic result – the second stoppage-time winner of the week for Nashville after a 1–0 win over Red Bull New York on Wednesday – extended their lead atop the Supporters’ Shield standings to nine with 49 points, the most of any MLS team through the first 21 regular season matches.
Nájar and Nashville are back home on Saturday, hosting FC Cincinnati at GEODIS Park (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV).
