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Hany Mukhtar makes preseason debut as Nashville SC falls to Toronto FC in Florida
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- Hany Mukhtar makes preseason debut as Nashville SC falls to Toronto FC in Florida
Nashville SC lost 2-1 to Toronto FC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Friday in its final game before it returns home from its three-week preseason training camp.
Nashville went 1-1-1 during its three games in Florida, drawing with St. Louis City SC last Friday and beating Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday.
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Friday's game was 120 minutes, with water breaks in the middle of each half. Toronto scored one goal in the first 30 minutes and another after the first-half water break. Everyone on Nashville's roster appeared in the game except for defenders Walker Zimmerman and Daniel Lovitz , midfielder Randall Leal and forward Teal Bunbury .
Nashville coach Gary Smith said the team pressed aggressively in the early going and had good chances to score, but "the preseason caught up to us."
"Little bit off the pace," Smith said. "But that is all part of preseason. We finish up in a very good place physically, and we've learned some very good lessons about the group and individuals at this point."
Nashville will host USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Geodis Park in a 120-minute match that will be open to season ticket holders and media.
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Hany Mukhtar returns to action
Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) watches the ball fly past Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (97) for a goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup quarterfinal game at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
Star forward Hany Mukhtar made his first appearance of 2024, subbing in after halftime and assisting Forster Ajago for Nashville's lone goal. Ajago, a striker, was signed in December as an undrafted free agent from Duke.
Mukhtar sat out Nashville's first two games in Florida because of a foot problem he had coming into camp, according to Smith. After Tuesday's match, Smith said he was hopeful the 2022 MLS MVP would be able to play against Toronto.
Smith planned to give Mukhtar about 30 minutes but ended up playing him closer to 40.
"Slowly but surely got him back into a really good place," Smith said. "Nice day for him today, finishes on a good note."
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Health updates
While Mukhtar made his preseason debut Friday, two projected starters along Nashville's back line have yet to play in 2024. Zimmerman and Lovitz are the only two players who didn't appear in any games in Florida. Their exclusions have been fitness-related.
Smith said that Lovitz could be ready to play in "five, six days time," but Zimmerman, who battled through an Achilles injury for much of 2023, will take a little bit longer. Smith hopes Zimmerman can return to the lineup around the time of Nashville's CONCACAF Champions Cup opener at Moca FC on Feb. 22.
"He's physically in a really good spot, one or two issues," Smith said. "... He has a little bit more work to do."
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After Leal played against St. Louis City, he was called to the Costa Rican national team for its friendly against El Salvador on Friday. However, the midfielder picked up an injury in Costa Rica's camp and was forced to return to Nashville. Smith believes it to be a hamstring issue.
"Hugely disappointing for Randall," Smith said. "He was in a good position when he left. He was fit, he played minutes for us in the first preseason game and looked bright."
Leal has been an offensive catalyst for Nashville when healthy, totaling eight goals and nine assists in 2021. However, he missed multiple months early last season due to a hamstring injury and played just 1,151 minutes, down from 2,163 in 2021 and 2,145 in 2022.
MORE: 4 things to watch for as Nashville SC opens training camp for 2024 season
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Dru Yearwood adding dimension to midfield
Nashville's midfield is in the midst of a transition after the departure of longtime mainstay Dax McCarty , who signed with Atlanta United in December after Nashville opted not to renew his contract.
One piece Nashville hopes could make a difference is Dru Yearwood , who the club picked up in a trade with the New York Red Bulls in December. Smith feels that Yearwood, 23, offers intriguing ball progression, energy and the ability to go forward in attack more.
Yearwood dealt with a tight quad during the middle part of camp, Smith said. However, he saw his playing time increase in each game, culminating with 60 minutes against Toronto.
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"I do believe we will start to see a little more of Dru, of his game, and what he will give to us as we go into the second part of this preseason," Smith said. "Some of his qualities will be a very, very nice addition."
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC: Hany Mukhtar makes preseason debut in loss to Toronto FC
