The Rebellion Defeatsthe Empire.GEODIS Park,Galactic Witness
abril 27, 2026Nashville SC defeated Charlotte FC 4-2 on an epic Star Wars Night before 30,109 spectators at Geodis Park. Full match report on Nashville Total Sports.
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Nashville Total Sports
Your Game, Our Passion
MLS · Geodis Park · Apr 25, 2026
NSH 4 — 2 CLT
Geodis Park · Star Wars Night · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
Match Report · Star Wars Night · MLS
The Rebellion Defeats
the Empire.
GEODIS Park,
Galactic Witness
the Empire.
GEODIS Park,
Galactic Witness
On an April night in 2026, the galaxy roared again. A legacy forged in epic battles returned to mark a new generation — heroes, shadows and destinies colliding at The Castle (Geodis Park). Before 30,109 soldiers of the Rebellion, under the calm and spectacular Tennessee night, Nashville SC delivered a commanding display of power and tactical strategy to defeat the Empire (Charlotte FC) 4-2.
Nashville SC
Schwake
Lovitz · Woledzi · Palacios · Nájar (Baker-Whiting 75′)
Yazbek (Tagseth 75′) · Corcoran
Espinoza (Mohammed 86′) · Qasem (Muyl 69′)
Mukhtar (C) · Madrigal (Surridge 46′)
Substitutes: Willis, Maher, Acosta, Bauer
Charlotte FC
Kahlina
Privett · Byrne · Toffolo (Schnegg 35′) · Agyemang
Westwood (C) · Bronico (Diani 75′)
Biel · Vargas (Smalls 76′) · Aloko (Abada 57′)
Goodwin (Toklomati 57′)
Substitutes: Miller, De La Torre, Kessler, John
Act I — The Awakening
«A long time ago… in a galaxy called Nashville, Tennessee»
Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
From the opening whistle, the Rebellion made it clear that The Castle was their territory. Nashville SC came out with an intensity that immediately spread to the 30,109 soldiers in attendance — and the epic script nearly fast-forwarded in min. 6, when Cristian Espinoza delivered a pinpoint corner for Warren Madrigal to connect on the volley. The ball, as capricious as fate, kissed the crossbar.
In min. 15, the Costa Rican Madrigal grazed the post. A minute later, Patrick Yazbek drove into the box and unleashed a thunderbolt — but Kristijan Kahlina, in fine form, pushed it away.
«May the GOALS be with you…»
Act II — The Rebellion Strikes Back
«May the Force be with Nashville!»
In min. 19, a lightning-fast transition from Madrigal opened space for Ahmed Qasem. The Swedish-Iraqi midfielder served it on a silver platter to Hany Mukhtar — the German didn’t miss. Goal number 98 of his Nashville career.
Goal #98 by Hany Mukhtar · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
«The light side prevails! #BoysInGold #NashvilleSC»
In min. 25, Andy Nájar found Cristian Espinoza, the Argentine who slipped it to Qasem in the box. The Swede needed just a second — an unstoppable left-footed laser. 2-0.
Left-footed laser by Ahmed Qasem · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
«Use the Force, Nashville! GEODIS Park tonight is another galaxy.»
BJ Callaghan — Head Coach
On Ahmed Qasem’s performance
«I think Ahmed found really good spaces between the lines. It suits his profile. I was really proud of him — once he got between the lines he turned and started to run at the backline. We know he can make those plays, it’s just about getting him on the ball. I thought his contributions opened that game up for us, especially in the first half.»
With performances of this caliber, national team scouts ahead of World Cup 2026 will not be able to ignore the name of Ahmed Qasem — the Swedish player of Iraqi descent with dual international eligibility who shone at The Castle tonight.
60%
NSH Possession
8
Shots on Goal
4th
Home Win
Act III — The Empire Strikes Back
«The Empire strikes back!»
In min. 42, a free kick from Ashley Westwood, crossed to the back post — Morrison Agyemang, unmarked, headed it home. 2-1. The Empire was breathing again.
Tension returns to The Castle · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
«The dark side attacks… but GEODIS holds firm.»
It was the only blemish on a first half dominated from start to finish — a momentary lapse that didn’t change the story but did trigger a small alarm inside The Castle.
BJ Callaghan — Head Coach
On the goals conceded
«None of us are going to be happy with the way that we conceded goals tonight. The response is what we judge everybody by. We can accept mistakes, we can always learn and improve, but we have to be grounded with proper responses. I think the group really continued to fight and dig deep and get contributions from a lot of different players on the field.»
Act IV — The Wookiee Roar
«May the Force be with Nashville!»
BJ Callaghan shuffled the deck — Sam Surridge, the English talisman, came on for Madrigal at the start of the second half. The Rebellion hadn’t come to manage the game; they came to seal it.
Sam Surridge scores his 8th goal of the season · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
Min. 60 — Nájar found Mukhtar, who let the ball run with a world-class dummy. Surridge, sharp as a bounty hunter, fired low. 3-1. The Castle erupted like never before — 30,109 Wookiees let out their galactic roar in unison.
«The light side prevails! Use the Force, Nashville!»
Surridge and Tagseth celebrate on the galactic night · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
Min. 68 — Spanish midfielder Pep Biel struck into the corner with power and placement. A brilliant goal that deserved better fortune. 3-2. Tension crept back for a brief moment.
«The dark side attacks… but GEODIS holds firm.»
The fourth goal seals the battle · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
Min. 74 — corner from Espinoza, a touch from Maxwell Woledzi, Mukhtar shot and Surridge cleverly deflected it into the net. 4-2. Sealed. The Empire surrendered to The Castle.
«30,109 soldiers of the Rebellion at The Castle are watching their team put four past Charlotte FC.»
Act V — The Galactic Closing
«In a galaxy called Nashville… the Boys in Gold reign.»
The Castle celebrates · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
The final whistle rang out like the echo of a battle won — not just on the scoreboard, but in the soul. Nashville SC had written an epic chapter in the history of The Castle, leaving the Empire without arguments and without a galaxy.
Mukhtar, architect and executioner. Madrigal, relentless engine. Qasem, mature and influential. Surridge, answering the call. Espinoza, orchestrating from the flanks. Nájar, quiet and decisive. BJ Callaghan smiled — and he had every reason to.
Fourth consecutive home win at The Castle. And the horizon calls loudly: the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg against the proud Mexican club Tigres, Tuesday night at Geodis Park. The premier CONCACAF tournament comes to The Castle — and the Rebellion will be ready.
Ahmed Qasem — Midfielder
On his relationship with Hany Mukhtar
«Hany talks with me as a big brother every day and he helps me out a lot. Sometimes I’m too hard on myself and I want to perform, of course. I always try to push myself, training hard and trying to push up the intensity all the time. I’m glad to perform today and hopefully I can keep on going.»
«The Rebellion defeats the Empire. GEODIS Park, galactic witness.»
Gallery · Archivist of Hyperspace
Full Gallery · Photo: Danny Villalobos / Nashville Total Sports
Let the Force awaken.
Let the darkness tremble.
The Boys in Gold have spoken.
Let the darkness tremble.
The Boys in Gold have spoken.
Jedi Chronicler: Claudio Villalobos
Archivist of Hyperspace: Danny Villalobos
Nashville Total Sports
Your Game, Our Passion · nashvilletotalsports.com
