Nashville SC scores two late goals to secure 4-1 win over Austin FC

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Nashville SC scores two late goals to secure 4-1 win over Austin FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Austin FC — AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Cristian Espinoza #7 of Nashville SC and Guilherme Biro #29 of Austin FC battle for the ball during the first half of a MLS match at Q2 Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)
(Scott Wachter, Getty Images)

Harrison Campbell, Nashville Tennessean · The Tennessean

Sat, Oct 10, 2026 ·

7 min read

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Nashville SC buried Austin FC with two late goals to secure a 4-1 win at Q2 Stadium on Oct. 10.

NSC opened the scoring in the 31st minute as a mistake in the box by Austin led to an easy tap in for left back Reed Baker-Whiting, his third goal in all competitions this season. The opening 45 minutes were largely controlled by Nashville, but it took a flying save from the fingertips of Brian Schwake to keep Austin scoreless at the half.

Cristian Espinoza provided his joint-league high 14th assist of the season in the 67th minute, finding Elias Saad on the back post to double NSC's lead. Just when the game looked done and dusted, Austin FC's Brandon Vazquez scored with a scintillating finish inside the box in the 76th minute, but Nashville didn't take long to bounce back.

Substitute Shak Mohammed finished a curling shot in the box in the 88th minute and just three minutes later, Hany Mukhtar secured the win as he scored his 14th league goal of the season.

Nashville leads the league with 63 points, now only 11 points away from tying the all-time MLS record. NSC is back in action on Oct. 14, hosting Sporting Kansas City.

See below for The Tennessean's live updates throughout Austin FC vs. Nashville SC.

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) celebrates his goal against the Toronto FC during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC forward Elias Saad (11) dribbles the ball against the Toronto FC during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) blocks the kick of Nashville SC midfielder Christian Espinoza (7) during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) dribbles the ball \A| during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Thomas Williams (21) dribbles the ball against the Toronto FC during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Maxwell Woledzi (3) and goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) celebrate the blocks during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) heads the ball over Toronto FC forward Theo Corbeanu (7) during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Isaiah LeFlore (18) heads the ball against the Toronto FC during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Andy Najar (31) dribbles the ball against the Toronto FC during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) blocks a shot against the Toronto FC during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Maxwell Woledzi (3) controls the ball defended by Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) dribbles the ball against the Toronto FC during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC forward Elias Saad (11) controls the ball defended by Toronto FC defender Jackson Gilman (38) for the ball during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Andy Najar (31) chases down a loose ball during the first half against the Toronto FC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 26, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Reed Baker-Whiting (27) dribbles the ball past Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Hany Mukhtar extends NSC lead late

10:31 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Hany Mukhtar has his 14th league goal this season, putting the exclamation mark on Nashville's win. Mukhtar was slotted through on goal in the 91st minute and while holding off Austin's Brendan Hines-Ike, then dribbled around AFC keeper Brad Stuver and finished into an open net.

Shak Mohammed gives NSC 3-1 goal, secures win

10:29 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville has seemingly secured all three points as substitute Shak Mohammed finished off a chance inside the box. He picked the ball up outside the box and drove down the left side toward goal before cutting back and finish a curling shot with his right foot into the bottom right corner.

Austin FC gets a goal back, trails 2-1

10:17 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Brandon Vazquez has Austin FC on the board in the 76th minute after a wicked finish which cuts NSC's lead in half. A cross came in from the left flank and Vazquez chested it down before striking an off-balance half-volley with the outside of his boot past Brian Schwake.

NSC makes trio of substitutions

10:14 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Shortly after scoring his first Nashville goal, Elias Saad exited for Shak Mohammed on the left wing in the 69th minute. Then in the 75th minute, Dan Lovitz and Eddi Tagseth entered for Andy Najar and Patrick Yazbek.

Elias Saad gives NSC 2-0 lead

10:10 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville SC had been knocking at the door and now has its second goal courtesy of Elias Saad in the 67th minute. The play started as Hany Mukhtar slotted Andy Najar in down the right side where he then dropped the ball back to Cristian Espinoza inside the box. Espinoza whipped a ball in across the face of goal and Saad was there at the back post to finish the chance.

It's Espinoza's 14th assist of the season, a joint league high, while its Saad's first goal with NSC.

Nashville SC leads Austin 1-0 at halftime

09:30 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville SC heads into the break with a 1-0 lead after Reed Baker-Whiting's 31st minute goal. It was a largely dominant half from Nashville, holding 61.3% possession with an 11-5 shot advantage, but Austin wasn't without its chances.

Back in the starting XI after a stint with the U.S. men's national team, NSC keeper Brian Schwake made a pair of huge saves to keep Austin scoreless. He first stopped Austin's Myrto Uzuni one-on-one in the box just five minutes into the game, before diving to get his fingertips on a curling shot from Austin's Jon Gallagher in the 42nd minute, which looked bound for the top right corner.

Reed Baker-Whiting gives NSC the lead

09:13 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

After mounting pressure throughout the first half, Nashville has taken the lead in the 31st minute. A corner kick found the head of Sam Surridge, who nodded the ball toward goal where a botched Austin clearance then landed at Patrick Yazbek's feet in the box. He ripped a shot off the left post and the ball ricocheted back into the center of the box where Reed Baker-Whiting finished the chance with his chest.

It's Baker-Whiting's second MLS goal this season and third in all competitions.

End to end action early

08:50 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

There's been no shortage of action in front of goal early on in this one. In the second minute, NSC's Patrick Yazbek forced a turnover deep in Austin's half which found the feet of Cristian Espinoza on the top of the box. He then squared it to Sam Surridge, who lofted a first-time shot over the bar.

Then in the fifth minute, Austin's Myrto Uzuni was sent through on goal with a ball over the top of the defense, but NSC keeper Brian Schwake made himself big and blocked the shot inside the box.

Nashville SC vs Austin FC is underway

08:41 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville SC and Austin FC have kicked off at Q2 Stadium. Stay tuned for updates throughout the match.

Nashville SC starting lineup vs Austin

07:35 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Austin FC starting lineup vs Nashville

07:34 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville SC vs Austin FC betting odds

05:50 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Moneyline:Nashville SC -115, draw +260, Austin +265
Over/under:2.5 goals (over -145, under +110)

Odds via DraftKings, as of Oct. 7

Nashville SC schedule (next 5 games)

05:45 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Oct. 14:vs. Sporting Kansas City
Oct. 17:at San Jose Earthquakes
Oct. 24:at CF Montreal
Oct. 28:vs. Philadelphia Union
Nov. 1:vs. New York Red Bulls

Nashville SC vs Austin FC time today

05:40 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Date:Saturday, Oct. 10
Time:7:30 p.m. CT
Location:Q2 Stadium, Austin

Where to watch Nashville SC vs Austin FC? TV channel, streaming

05:35 PM ET, October 10 2026, Harrison Campbell

Nashville SC's MLS match against Western Conference side Austin FC will air exclusively on Apple TV .

Streaming: Apple TV

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC scores two late goals to secure 4-1 win over Austin FC

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Nashville SC scores two late goals to secure 4-1 win over Austin FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

See top photos from Nashville SC's match against Toronto FC

Hany Mukhtar extends NSC lead late

Shak Mohammed gives NSC 3-1 goal, secures win

Austin FC gets a goal back, trails 2-1

NSC makes trio of substitutions

Elias Saad gives NSC 2-0 lead

Nashville SC leads Austin 1-0 at halftime

Reed Baker-Whiting gives NSC the lead

End to end action early

Nashville SC vs Austin FC is underway

Nashville SC starting lineup vs Austin

Austin FC starting lineup vs Nashville

Nashville SC vs Austin FC betting odds

Nashville SC schedule (next 5 games)

Nashville SC vs Austin FC time today

Where to watch Nashville SC vs Austin FC? TV channel, streaming