Cristian Espinoza

On the Eastern Conference, I think it's pretty evident that Nashville is and should be number one.

They've had a tremendous season under B.J. Callahan and the signing of Christian Espinoza, what he's done with Sam Surich and Hany Mukhtar is just unrivaled right now in terms of three-headed monster attacks in MLS season.

So that would be one candidate in the Eastern Conference, along with that, of course, Inter-Miami.

The thing is, because of the format and the competition, I think Inter-Miami should be favored over everyone, at least in the Eastern Conference, because of the individual talent that they just accumulate.

And due to that paperwork error that you can't do this right now, like it would be one thing if it had something to do with.

You know, like the Christian Espinoza situation where they screw paperwork up and as a result, a player becomes a free agent.

OK, that's implicating a player's rights right here.

But if everybody's in agreement, Matt Miazga, we want to buy him out and he can go do his own thing.

After needing late-game heroics the previous week to eke out wins versus the Red Bulls in Columbus, there was no such desperation for the boys in gold this time around.

They were dominant from kickoff, and a Christian Espinoza cross setting up a Sam Surage header provided the first-half lead for the boys in gold.

And then in the second half, Hani Mukhtar continued his torrid run by taking an Elias Saad assist and turning it into Nashville's second goal.

And late in the game, Nashville poured it on with goals from Brian Acosta and Ahmed Qasim.

Sam Surridge scored off a header in the 43rd minute.

Assisted by Christian Espinoza and Andy Dahar.

Hani Mukhtar scores in the 54th.

Assisted by Ali Assad and Surridge.

with all three designated players starting together.

Yeah.

So Nashville SC with Christian Espinoza, Hani Mukhtar, and Sam Surich all in the lineup together.

was 5-1-0 coming into this game with 19 goals scored.

Whether it's mostly from the pen of transfer or just within the league.

I mean, you're talking about Christian Espinoza being the one that I've thrown a dart at.

From the story I've heard is you were incredibly fortunate to get him in the first place.

But why is he the big puzzle piece? What was the need that he fills?

But when you look at the season and say, you know, what was the tipping point? What helped get Nashville across the line? If indeed in a couple of months' time we're saying they are going to win the supporters' shield, what moments do you look at that got them across the line? The arrival of Saad in the summer may well go down as one of those pivotal signings, just to boost a team that was already in very good shape.

Yeah, you mentioned Christian Espinoza.

I was going to ask you about him.

Just the third DP alongside Hani Mukhtar and Sam Surge has three goals and 10 assists in his first season with Nashville.

But unfortunately, the offside's flag was lifted once again, keeping the game scoreless all the way to stoppage time.

But then, in the 92nd minute, Christian Espinosa sent a free kick from the midfield into the New York box, and Willedji converted the header cleanly for the score, which stood this time.

The game ended shortly after, and Nashville stole the win in the waning moments to come away with three points on the road.

And after that win, Nashville returned home to Giotis Park on Saturday to host the Columbus Crew.

Columbus came out with a bit more purpose and effort, and they were rewarded in the 58th minute when Mo Farsi turned a shot in the box past a slow-responding defense to even the game at 1-1.

And just a few minutes later, the situation for Nashville went from bad to worse.

A lazy pass by Christian Espinoza back to Eddie Tagseth was partially intercepted by Joseph Martinez, and Tagseth was forced to commit a foul just outside Nashville's penalty area.

The ensuing free kick from Andre Gomez was a laser over the defensive wall that found the top left corner of the Nashville goal.