Mukhtar highlights importance of Nashville's 'DNA'

Nashville SC will look to extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference when they face the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Hany Mukhtar believes Nashville SC's "clear DNA" is key to their impressive form in the 2026 MLS season.

Nashville are currently top of the Eastern Conference and also lead the way in the Supporters' Shield standings, following a 4-1 win over Inter Miami last weekend.

Mukhtar was on target twice in that victory over their conference rivals, while Andy Najar and Sam Surridge also scored.

Nashville could further extend their lead at the top of the table when they face the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, with Michael Bradley's side currently eighth in the East.

While Mukhtar does not believe Nashville's win over Miami was a statement, he saw it as a reward for their hard work so far in 2026.

"It's not a statement," Mukhtar said. "There are too many games left.

"We deserve to have this big match, and it is a compliment to our achievements, what we have done in the first 18 or 19 games now. But we have to go game by game.

"The most important thing is that a club has a DNA, and we have a clear DNA in our team.

"We have a clear mentality in our team. Whoever comes in, it doesn't matter who it is, has to adapt to the mentality, to the DNA. That is the foundation of this club."

The Red Bulls, meanwhile, fell to a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last time out, despite taking an early lead.

Head coach Bradley has urged his side not to settle for a one-goal lead in matches, as it invites more pressure.

"We need to be able to get the second goal," said the Red Bulls boss.

"When you can't make the play to get the second goal, then you leave it open, and you leave a team that is desperate in some ways. You leave them hanging around.

"And so that is that's a really disappointing feeling to have."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls – Adri Mehmeti

Seventeen-year-old Mehmeti recorded his fifth assist of the season, setting up Emil Forsberg’s early goal in the Red Bulls' defeat at Atlanta on Saturday.

Mehmeti is the fourth player in MLS history to record five assists in a season before turning 18 years old, after Alphonso Davies, Freddy Adu and Eddie Gaven.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar scored two of Nashville's four goals in their win over Miami.

It was Mukhtar’s 18th regular-season match with multiple goals, the second most in MLS since he joined the league in 2020, behind only Lionel Messi (19).

MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN

Nashville have won six of their last eight regular-season matches, including their 4–1 win over Miami (D1 L1).

That marked the 12th time Nashville have scored multiple goals in a match this regular season, with only Miami (14) and FC Cincinnati (13) doing so more often.

Nashville earned their first-ever win over the Red Bulls in the last meeting between the sides, a 2–1 home victory in May 2025.

NYRB have two wins and two draws against Nashville at home, keeping clean sheets in all four matches.

The Red Bulls have lost three of four matches since returning from the summer break (W1), after entering the break having won three of four (D1).