Leal, Willis guide Nashville to 2-0 victory over DC United #Leal #Willis #guide #Nashville #victory #United

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Randall Leal scored twice in the first half and Joe Willis made it stand up as Nashville SC defeated D.C. United 2-0 on Saturday night.

Leal took a pass from Hany Mukhtar in the 18th minute and found the net and he followed with an unassisted goal in the 37th minute to put Nashville up 2-0 at halftime. Leal entered play with one goal on the season.

Willis finished with two saves to earn the clean sheet for Nashville (11-5-5). Tyler Miller saved one shot for DC United (7-9-5).

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) celebrates with forward Carlos Vela (10) after scoring during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Reigning league MVP Hany Mukhtar and teammate Walker Zimmerman from Nashville, LAFC scoring leader Dénis Bouanga and top newcomer Giorgos Giakoumakis highlight the 26-player roster for the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi heads the ball next to France's Kingsley Coman, right, during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Lionel Messi says he is coming to Inter Miami and joining Major League Soccer. After months of speculation, Messi announced his decision Wednesday, June 7, 2023,to join a Miami franchise that has been led by another global soccer icon in David Beckham since its inception but has yet to make any real splashes on the field. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Lionel Messi is set to become part of the next chapter of men’s soccer in North America. Messi’s announcement that he will join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami is another landmark moment for the league and the sport in the United States.

D.C. United defender Donovan Pines, center right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against CF Montréal in Washington, Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sunusi Ibrahim and Ariel Lassiter scored two minutes apart late in the second half to help CF Montreal tie D.C. United 2-2 on Wednesday night.

Toronto FC midfielder Kosi Thompson (47) battles with D.C. United forward Taxiarchis Fountas (11) during second-half MLS soccer match action in Toronto, Ontario, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Lorenzo Insigne notched assists on goals by Deandre Kerr and Kosi Thompson and Toronto FC cooled off D.C. United with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.

Nashville was coming off two straight shutout losses following a club-record 10-match unbeaten streak. The club has never lost three straight and has won all six times following two-match skids.

Mukhtar has a goal contribution in seven straight home matches — eight goals, five assists. He has 32 goal contributions in 43 home matches since 2021.

Nashville improves to 4-0-2 all-time versus DC United, including a 1-1 draw on the road earlier this season. Nashville is the only team DC United has played at least five times without a victory.

DC United’s last eight goals have come from eight different players.

DC United travels to play FC Dallas on Tuesday. Nashville travels to play the Chicago Fire on Saturday.