Fourteen months into his time with Nashville SC, Qasem hasn't made the impact he likely envisioned when the club signed him for a reported $4.2 million transfer fee. The forward from Sweden has been in and out of the lineup during his time in MLS. He had two goals and one assist in 28 league games (12 starts) last season, and went scoreless in his first eight games (three starts) in 2026.

Not all of that has been Qasem's fault. For starters, he's only 22. He had little time to acclimate to his new home last year, arriving from IK Elfsborg just days before the season began, and had to compete for playing time on the wing, Nashville's most crowded position group. He also missed the final two months with an ankle injury.

Nashville's 4-2 win over Charlotte FC on April 25 at Geodis Park was a reminder of why general manager Mike Jacobs made Qasem the third-most expensive acquisition in club history. Qasem had his best game yet for Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points), scoring his first MLS goal since March 2025 and assisting on another.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Lovitz #2 of Nashville SC controls the ball while defended by Pep Biel #16 of Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Warren Madrigal #41 of Nashville SC controls the ball while defended by Ashley Westwood #8 of Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Hany Mukhtar #10 of Nashville SC controls the ball agains Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: The team photo of Nashville SC before the game against Charlotte FC in the first half at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the inside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A Nashville SC fan before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A Nashville SC fan before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the outside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the outside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)1 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Lovitz #2 of Nashville SC controls the ball while defended by Pep Biel #16 of Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)1 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Daniel Lovitz #2 of Nashville SC controls the ball while defended by Pep Biel #16 of Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)2 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Warren Madrigal #41 of Nashville SC controls the ball while defended by Ashley Westwood #8 of Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)3 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Hany Mukhtar #10 of Nashville SC controls the ball agains Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)4 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: The team photo of Nashville SC before the game against Charlotte FC in the first half at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)5 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the inside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)6 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A Nashville SC fan before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)7 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A Nashville SC fan before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)8 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the outside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)9 / 9See our best photos from Nashville SC vs Charlotte FCNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A view of the outside of GEODIS Park before the MLS match of Nashville SC against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park on April 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)MORE: Nashville SC beats Charlotte FC 4-2, remains atop MLS Eastern Conference

"He's a young player, still developing, and we're going to continue to help him develop," coach B.J. Callaghan said. "I think he's doing really well tactically. He's really intelligent with the way he defends and the positions that he takes, and now offensively, I think he's starting to find where he can impact the game the most."

Qasem started on the left, the side from which he delivered a cross to Hany Mukhtar for Nashville's opening goal. But he drifted around throughout the night: His goal was a left-footed strike from the right edge of the 18-yard box. He also dropped into midfield on occasion to pick up the ball, which Callaghan thought opened up the game.

"Ahmed found really good spaces between the lines, something that I think suits his profile," Callaghan said. "I was really proud of him that once he got in between the lines, he turned and started running at the back line and being able to make those plays. We know he can make them, it's just about getting him on the ball."

Callaghan believes Qasem has taken substantial strides this season. Already a skilled dribbler and playmaker, he has gotten stronger, less liable to be pushed off the ball, and more experienced in dealing with the physicality of MLS.

Qasem gives plenty of credit to Mukhtar, who he described as a "big brother" to him. He and his wife often share meals with Mukhtar's family. Mukhtar has tried to help Qasem harness his intensity — he recently took him golfing, wanting to give him an outlet outside of soccer.

"He always talks with me to move forward, don't trouble so much, don't think so much," Qasem said. "Play, have fun. Don't go home and think about stuff, because I like to think a lot, I'm an over-thinker. He teaches me so much every day."

There aren't many minutes available in Nashville's lineup right now. Designated players Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Cristian Espinoza all have been playing at elite levels, and the versatile Warren Madrigal has had two goals and three assists in his first nine MLS games. Alex Muyl remains one of the club's most dependable options in midfield and on the wing.

Qasem wants to be a regular part of the starting eleven, and he believes that he will be if he strings together more performances like his two-point night against Charlotte. The challenge, of course, is going out and doing it.

"I’m not raised to go and complain to the coach, because I put in the work," he said. "I know that if I deserve to play, I play. If I don’t deserve to play, I don’t play."

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ahmed Qasem adjusting to MLS in second season with Nashville SC