NASHVILLE (AP) — Hany Mukhtar scored three goals to briefly tie Austin's Sebastián Driussi for the Major League Soccer scoring lead with 19 goals and lead Nashville over the Colorado Rapids 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Mukhtar converted a penalty kick in the 29th minute after Lucas Esteves knocked over Randall Leal from behind in the penalty area. Mukhtar put Nashville ahead 2-1 in the 54th and capped the scoring in the 75th.
It was Mukhtar's second MLS hat trick after a three-goal game against Chicago on July 17 last year.
Driussi scored his 20th goal later Wednesday in a 2-1 loss to Portland.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the 61st minute for Nashville (11-9-9).
Gyasi Zardes tied the score for the Rapids (8-12-8) in the 35th minute with his ninth league goal this season.
Up next for Nashville is a matchup Saturday against Austin at home, while the Rapids visit D.C. United on Sunday.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.