Nashville SC smothers FC Dallas to end six-game winless streak in MLS

Nashville SC claimed its first win since July 13 on Sunday against FC Dallas at Geodis Park.

Coming off its first pair of back-to-back home loses in club history, Nashville (9-9-9, 36 points) rose above the playoff line to sixth in the Western Conference with a 4-0 victory, the largest margin since September against Inter Miami CF.

"It's been a little while coming," Nashville SC coach Gary Smith said. "I won't lie, there's a bit of relief in it as well."

Forward Hany Mukhtar scored twice, in the fifth and 33rd minutes, leaping to second in MLS for most goals with 16. Winger Jacob Shaffelburg scored in his club debut in the 26th minute and center back Dave Romney scored in the 72nd minute.

Here a few observations from the game:

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How Nashville SC turned the tide

There's been a promising attacking output from Nashville since its win over the Seattle Sounders, but its finishing has been dull. In Nashville's prior three home games, it put up a combined 17 shots on target and 60 shots total, going 0-2-1 in that span, scoring five goals.

Nashville turned it around against Dallas (11-8-9, 42 points) by playing with the right balance, a detailed re-press to win the ball when it was lost, limiting ball possession in playmaking areas and to its best effort, keeping the Western Conference's third-place team in its own half.

Hany Mukhtar continues scoring streak

Mukhtar was a threat to Dallas in different fashions. Mukhtar scored off-balance, falling out of bounds and then found the top right corner on a free kick.

Mukhtar's runs off the ball set up both scores. Before the first goal, he allowed Shaq Moore's pass to skid passed him with CJ Sapong standing in his shadow. Mukhtar immediately cut toward the goal for the give-and-go pass, used a stepover to shake defender Jose Martinez before putting his laces through the ball to score.

Shaffelburg earned the free kick Mukhtar scored from. But before Paxton Pomykal committed the foul, Mukhtar made a 40-yard run from midfield, despite being well behind the ball.

Only Austin FC's Sebastián Driussi with 18 has more goals this season than Mukhtar in the MLS.

Jacob Shaffelburg impresses in debut

Shaffelburg said when Nashville included him set piece game planning on Friday, he knew he would start against Dallas.

The 22-year-old winger from Nova Scotia, Canada, scored a goal from two shots, winning 67% of his duels, playing 45 minutes. He fell down Toronto's pecking order and was asked to play wingback there. He described his Nashville debut as "a dream start."

"I grew up as a 'heels to the sideline' winger. That's what (Nashville) want from me," he said. "It's kinda like a weight off my back. I'm back to my old roots."

Rekindling defensive dominance

Dallas didn't have a shot on goal. Its best chance was Alan Velasco's Hail Mary heave from 20 yards out, which hit the marketing billboards instead of the goal.

"We've kept a clean sheet, which by the way, is a big boost as well," Smith said. "It's been for sure our flattest period since we've been in MLS and a big, big confidence boost – not only to win, but in the manner that we've won."

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Nashville SC ended its 6-game winless streak by blanking FC Dallas