Match Report: Nashville SC dispatches Lexington SC 3-0 in open door preseason friendly
Sam Surridge scored a first half hat trick in the rout.
(Image credit: Nashville SC)
NASHVILLE, TN
The Match
On a Saturday afternoon that was about 20 degrees warmer than the Music City had been in some time, GEODIS Park opened its doors for the first time in 2025 to season ticket holders as fans saw Nashville SC comfortably defeat USL Championship side Lexington SC 3-0.
The game was played in four periods totaling 120 minutes. First, a 45 minute period, then a 15 minute period, and then repeat. All three of Nashville’s goals were scored in the opening 45, and all three came from their designated player Sam Surridge.
First, in the 17th minute, Hany Mukhtar set the ball down for a free kick and then picked out Surridge’s diving header at the far post to fire the hosts in front.
From there, Nashville’s comfort level on the ball only increased, and just eight minutes later in the 25th, Surridge was at it again. This time, a chipped ball from Andy Najar found Edvard Tagseth, who passed to Hany Mukhtar before the ball found Patrick Yazbek just inside the box. Yazbek lashed the ball across goal, where Surridge was waiting to tap it home for 2-0.
More Nashville threat followed, but with no end product being shown. However, in the 42nd minute, Hany Mukhtar won another free kick in an almost identical position as the one the hosts scored the opener from. This time, Mukhtar floated the ball a little higher, but the result was the same. Surridge rose, Surridge headed, Surridge scored.
The whistle blew for the end of the first period, and then the following 15 minute period came and went without much of note occurring.
The second 45 minutes arrived with a wholly changed Nashville lineup, and chances for both teams. The highlight of this period was a Lexington penalty given away by Jacob Shaffelburg. Eliot Goldthorp stepped up to the spot, and fired the ball to the right, where Nashville backup goalkeeper Brian Schwake made the save to keep the clean sheet.
Not long after, the whistle again blew, and again, the final 15 minute period came and went without issue.
Quick Thoughts
It was a good win for Nashville, who looked like a team who has taken enormous leaps beyond what they were capable of in 2024. The roster is full of players who have not played together for very long, but for stretches, especially in the first 45 minutes, it was hard to tell that was the case.
There appears to be a sizeable drop off between Nashville’s first choice and second choice lineups in this game, but not so large as to be cause for serious concern.
Obviously, you have to take these results with a grain of salt, but from this one viewing, Nashville SC under BJ Callaghan look like they might pass the eye test.