New York City FC 0-0 Nashville SC: Mukhtar miss proves costly for Eastern Conference leaders

Hany Mukhtar's shocking first-half miss proved costly as Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC were held to a 0-0 draw away to New York City FC.

Mukhtar had the goal at his mercy in the 43rd minute after a defensive mix-up from NYCFC, but he could only strike his effort against the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

The Coyotes also saw their four-game winning run in the MLS come to an end, though the point did extend their lead at the top of the East to 11 points over Inter Miami. 

A quiet opening burst into life in the ninth minute when Sam Surridge headed over before Nicolas Fernandez Mercau saw his shot blocked by Maxwell Woledzi at the other end.

Elias Saad and Agustin Ojeda drew saves out of either goalkeeper soon after, but the golden opportunity fell in Nashville's favour just moments before the half-time whistle blew.

Freese's short pass out from the back clipped the heel of Raul Gustavo and presented the ball to Cristian Espinoza, who squared for Mukhtar, but the hosts' blushes were spared when the Nashville captain half-volleyed against the woodwork from eight yards out.

The NYCFC goalkeeper was called into action early in the second half from Surridge's instinctive attempt at the back post, with Nashville struggling to find their groove in attack.

Pascal Jansen's side continued to put their bodies on the line and almost snatched all three points in the closing stages, but Ojeda's teasing cross into the box just evaded Malachi Jones as the spoils were shared.

Free-scoring Nashville blunted in rare goalless draw

Only the Vancouver Whitecaps (48), FC Cincinnati (49) and Inter Miami (56) have scored more goals in the MLS this season than Nashville's 47, but the Coyotes' attack failed to spark into life despite generating some promising goal-scoring opportunities. 

Nashville finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.60 from their 13 attempts, though only two of those were on target, compared to NYCFC's tally of 1.03 from their six attempts, with BJ Callaghan's side failing to score for the first time in six league matches.

In fact, it was just their third goalless draw of the campaign and Nashville's first since May 2 away to the Philadelphia Union, though they may look back on this result as what might have been after Mukhtar's blunder.

NYCFC, meanwhile, were unable to find an opening at the other end. The result saw their all-competition winless run extend to seven matches (D3 L4). The Pigeons have managed just three wins in their last 14 matches dating back to the middle of May (D5 L6).