It has been almost seven weeks since Nashville SC lost an MLS game.
In a sport like soccer, it was bound to happen. But losing a game with a late 1-0 lead? That's unusual for this group.
"We were not sharp," Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said after the 2-1 loss to Toronto FC on Sept. 9. "We weren't disciplined in our phases of play, and at the end of the day, we need to execute better in both penalty boxes. That's where games are won and lost, in both penalty boxes."
And it was in the penalty box where host Toronto found a late go-ahead goal. Emilio Aristizábal poked the ball by goalkeeper Brian Schwake from about 6 yards out to give Toronto a 2-1 lead in the 93rd minute, 20 minutes after Daniel Salloi's header tied the game 1-1.
All of this after
Toronto's Niklas Dorsch gave Nashville a 1-0 with an own goal in the third minute.
"(We were) just a little bit out of character," Callaghan said. "Credit to Toronto for opening the game up and playing with great intensity and great passion."
Nashville's character has been an offensive one this season, utilizing a multi-pronged attack with Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza. But those three combined for just two shots on goal against Toronto, frustrated by a heavy defensive front that included former Nashville staple Walker Zimmerman.
Not only was Nashville's attack stifled, its defense failed to contain a late, aggressive push by Toronto to take the lead. That included a moment where Salloi seemed to take down center back Jack Maher, clearing the way for Aristizábal's go-ahead goal.
Emilio with late-game heroics! 🔥
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 10, 2026
Toronto has the lead in stoppage time. pic.twitter.com/p26ToBNJxj
Callaghan did not give excuses for his team's late-game breakdown.
"I think that's just contact from guys going after the ball," he said. "If it's not going to be clear and obvious, and they call the goal, you just trust that the system works."
On Sept. 12, Nashville (16-5-3, 53 points) will visit Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, who will be looking to avenge their 4-1 defeat to Nashville on Aug. 15.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at@alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Nashville SC let early lead disappear late to Toronto FC
