How Nashville SC players are faring with national teams at Concacaf Gold Cup

Nashville SC knew it was coming, but the summer soccer storm showering concurrently throughout the U.S. at club and international levels has taught a team that's flown to near top of the MLS Eastern Conference to fly with just one wing.

Nashville still boasts the best player (and goal-scorer) in the league with Hany Mukhtar (13 goals, seven assists). But the MLS' best defense (16 goals) is staring down six games in MLS and Leagues Cup combined in July, all while North American's governing soccer body, Concacaf, is hosting its biennial Gold Cup — one that's attracted three vital players (scorers, even) from Nashville to national teams.

Here's how forwards Jacob Shaffelburg, Fafa Picault and Anibal Godoy are faring at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Jacob Shaffelburg, Canada

Shaffelburg hasn't strung together consecutive starts in MLS since April. But after Canada's unexpected 2-2 tie against Guadeloupe in its opening group stage game in Toronto, the 23-year-old winger should see an uptick from his 26 minutes with the Reds.

But contextualize Shaffelburg's cameo within his international career, and you'll see that Tuesday's game was not only Shaffelburg's first with Canada since a friendly against Bahrain last November but the most playing time he's gotten with the senior national team.

With two group games to go, increased urgency has set in for the Reds to advance out of Group D. Canada's second game against Guatemala is Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston (8:30 p.m., FS1). Then the Reds will face Cuba on the Fourth of July (5:30 p.m., FS1) in a group stage finale.

Fafa Picault, Haiti

Picault's Haiti came back from 1-0 down in its Gold Cup debut to beat Qatar, 2-1, at NRG Stadium in Houston. Picault played 83 minutes on the wing, and despite picking up a yellow card in the 22nd minute, the forward had two scoring chances in 18th minute and 24th minute.

Qatar had the 1-0 lead for 25 minutes of the game and had two more shots ping off the goal frame. Haiti completed the 2-1 comeback, setting up its toughest opponent in the group stage on Thursday: Mexico (9 p.m., FS1).

If there's one player Nashville misses the most, it's Picault. In his last five games with Nashville, the speedy veteran has two goals, created five scoring chances, helping Nashville to four consecutive wins. Haiti faces Honduras on Sunday (8 p.m., FS1) in its final group game, meaning Picault will have missed four MLS games.

If Haiti and Canada advance to the knockout stage, that means more minutes for Alex Muyl and Ethan Zubak. Or, at which point will Nashville tap into MLS Next Pro affiliate Huntsville City FC, bringing up attackers Kemy Amiche or Jonathan Bolanos?

MLS ALL-STARS, AGAIN: Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar, Walker Zimmerman voted to 2023 MLS All-Star team.

Anibal Godoy, Panama

Godoy captained Panama in his 127th international appearance on Monday as Los Canaleros dominated Costa Rica, 2-1 (Costa Rica scored a consolation goal in the 91st minute). He earned a yellow card in the 44th minute, but played a part in Panama's first goal.

Just like Picault, Godoy's MLS last appearance was June 10 against Toronto FC. But Nashville has cover in central midfield with Dax McCarty, Sean Davis, Brian Anunga and Jan Gregus.

Panama finishes Group C with matches against Martinique on Friday (5:30 p.m., FS1) and El Salvador on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., FS1).

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC Fafa Picault, Jacob Shaffelburg, Anibal Godoy at Gold Cup