Riding a season-high six-game unbeaten streak in MLS, Nashville SC return to GEODIS Park with a chance to clinch a postseason berth with a victory against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
The Boys in Gold have drawn consecutive matches 1-1, while Houston lost their first game under interim manager Kenny Bundy, 3-1 versus Los Angeles FC.
Match preview
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Heading into the home stretch of their third MLS regular-season campaign, the Boys in Gold look a lot like the best versions of Nashville, which we saw in their first two years in the league, compact and challenging to break down in the final third.
That formula enabled this franchise to find instant success in the league back in 2020, and they have been that way throughout their current unbeaten run, conceding a total of just two goals in their last six games played, while posting four clean sheets.
Stingy defensive play may be what stood out for this team over their previous two campaigns, but Nashville know how to find the back of the net as well, having scored in 17 consecutive MLS affairs, while tallying 50 goals this year, five short of their single-season record.
After dropping their first two matches at GEODIS Park back in August, Gary Smith has seen his team put on some offensive shows in the Music City, earning points in four successive home fixtures, scoring 12 goals over that span and conceding only three.
They are currently in a position to host a playoff game, sitting in fourth in the Western Conference with 47 points, but only two points separate them from Minnesota United in seventh.
Of their 11 draws in this campaign, nine have come from winning positions in the second half, equating to 18 points dropped, which could have them a point above LAFC for first in the Western Conference.
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Another season of promise in Houston will end in disappointment, with the Dynamo having now missed the playoffs in five successive campaigns.
General manager Pat Onstad has a lot of work to do to get this side back to its former glory, with Houston currently sitting 13th in the Western Conference on 33 points.
Their 3-1 defeat at Los Angeles FC in their previous encounter extended their winless run away from home to six straight matches in MLS, scoring once or fewer in each of those contests.
Amid a series of poor performances, not to mention the sacking of Paulo Nagamura in his inaugural season as manager, one might not know that this team have actually improved in numerous statistical categories this year when compared to 2021.
At the moment, they have nine wins, three more than a year ago, while also claiming three more points (33) than they had last season, and if they can at the very least maintain their spot in 13th, it would be the first time since 2019 that they did not finish in the Western Conference basement.
Sunday will be their first ever visit to GEODIS Park as the Dynamo have faced Nashville three times previously, with each side winning once, as Houston came away with a 2-0 victory earlier this season.
Team News
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Sean Davis, who leads Nashville this season when it comes to minutes played (2,663), also led the way for them in terms of passing percentage (89.3%) when they drew 1-1 against Austin FC, while Hany Mukhtar remains in the lead for the Golden Boot, tallying his 23rd of the campaign in that contest.
Dax McCarty appeared in his 437th MLS match when they faced the Verde and Black, tying Jeff Larentowicz for the second-most all-time caps for outfield players in this league, Jack Maher started in place of the suspended Walker Zimmerman in their previous domestic outing, David Romney led the team with 59 touches, while Joe Willis earned his 200th career MLS cap.
Anibal Godoy will be questionable because of a left thigh injury, while Josh Bauer, Luke Haakenson and Maher each tallied once in the first ever international friendly for this franchise, which they drew 3-3 against Club America last Wednesday.
Corey Baird had the only goal for Houston in their defeat to LAFC, his second this year, with Adalberto Carrasquilla collecting his third assist on that play.
Their leading goalscorer Sebastian Ferreira is without a tally in his last four games, while Fafa Picault had a brace in their previous triumph, 3-1 over the New England Revolution.
Carrasquilla and Darwin Quintero scored in their victory versus Nashville earlier this year, as Steve Clark stopped six shots to collect the clean sheet.
Hector Herrera remains questionable due to a problem in his right leg, Xavier Valdez is out with a head injury, while Daniel Steres will be sidelined with a sore right arm.
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Lovitz, Romney, Maher, Moore; Bunbury, McCarty, Davis, Leal; Mukhtar, Sapong
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Lundqvist, Hadebe, Parker, Dorsey; Carrasquilla, Ceren; Picault, Quintero, Rodriguez; Ferreira
We say: Nashville SC 3-0 Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo have conceded multiple goals in three straight road games, and having to contend with one of the frontrunners for MLS MVP in Hany Mukhtar will make their weekend task incredibly daunting.
Not only is Mukhtar in fine form, but the Boys in Gold have rediscovered their defensive game, and that could spell bad news for Houston.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
