Two own goals by the losing team just do not happen every Sunday. Yet that is exactly how Nashville SC erased a two-goal hole to beat New York 3-2 on a rainy night. The Red Bulls saw their playoff hopes vanish in the final seconds after giving up the lead twice. Sam Surridge scored the winner in stoppage time to seal the deal for the home side.
This result means New York finished the season without a spot in the postseason. The loss, combined with a win for Toronto FC over Atlanta United, locked in an Eastern Conference berth for the Columbus Crew. Nashville (22-3-8) now sits on 74 points, matching the league record set by Inter Miami in 2024. They also finished the year unbeaten at home with a 15-0-2 record. According to the Associated Press, this marks the second time in club history the team has gone the entire home season without a loss.
From Dreams to Nightmares
New York took control early in the match. Teenager Julian Hall scored in the 34th minute to make it 1-0 after Nashville rookie Brian Schwake saved a penalty kick from Cade Cowell. The visitors added a second goal six minutes later when Rafael Mosquera scored his first MLS goal. Mosquera had just entered the game a minute prior. The Red Bulls held a 2-0 lead at the break thanks to an own goal by defender Tim Parker in the 45th minute. Nashville cut the deficit to 2-1 before the half ended.
The second half saw more drama unfold as the rain fell harder. Nashville tied the game in the 81st minute when defender Julian Bazan scored an own goal. Cristian Espinoza provided the assist for Surridge’s late winner. Espinoza now has 15 assists this season, a career high for the veteran player. Surridge’s 19th goal of the campaign came in the first minute of stoppage time. Ethan Horvath made seven saves for New York but could not keep the result. After Atlanta United beat them on the last day of August last season, Nashville’s home winning streak started, The Associated Press reports.
A Record-Breaking Finish
The numbers from this season show just how dominant Nashville has been on their own turf. The club collected 44 points at home, which stands as a league record. Their unbeaten streak now stands at nine games. This performance solidifies their status as a top-tier team in the league. They clinched the Supporters’ Shield earlier and now add a historic home record to their trophy case. The team finished the season with a 22-3-8 record overall.
Young players made their mark in this chaotic match. Seventeen-year-old Adri Mehmeti and 19-year-old Sekou Kone both recorded assists. Kone earned his first assist in his seventh career match, whereas Mehmeti’s helper marked his ninth of the year. Julian Hall, the 18-year-old scorer, now has 13 goals this season. He has scored three times in his first 38 appearances. These young talents helped drive the offense even as the defense stumbled.
Both teams now turn their eyes toward their final games of the regular season. New York will host Atlanta United on Saturday for a regular-season finale. Nashville heads out on the road to play FC Cincinnati on Saturday to end their own season. The Associated Press observes that Nashville defeated the Red Bulls 1-0 away on August 19 previously.
