Separated by just one point in the Western Conference standings, Nashville SC and Seattle Sounders go head to head at the GEODIS Park on Wednesday.
While Gary Smith's side will be looking to pick up their first victory in five home games, the Rave Green could make it two consecutive road wins for the first time since September 2021.
Match preview
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Nashville SC failed to arrest their slump in form as they suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Charlotte FC at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
After trailing to strikes from Christian Fuchs and Karol Swiderski, Hany Mukhtar pulled one back for the visitors in the 67th minute, but Sergio Ruiz Alonso and Andre Shinyashiki netted in the closing stages of the game to hand Charlotte their eighth win of the season.
This was a second consecutive away defeat for Smith's side, who were beaten on penalties by Orlando City in the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup on June 30.
They also return home where they boast the league's joint-worst record with 10 points from seven games and have failed to taste victory in any of their last four outings, picking up four draws and losing one since a 2-1 win over CF Montreal back in May.
Nashville head into Wednesday winless in all but one of their last six games across all competitions — losing three and picking up two draws — with a 3-1 win over DC United on June 25 being the only exception.
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On the other hand, Seattle Sounders continued their trend of dropping points right after a victory as they fell to a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of a spirited Portland Timbers last time out.
In a game where Jackson Ragen received his marching orders, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Santiago Moreno and Dairon Asprilla all hit the target to hand the Timbers a comfortable victory.
Brian Schmetzer's men previously saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an end on June 30 courtesy of a 2-1 loss against CF Montreal, before visiting the BMO Field to see off Toronto FC 2-0 three days later.
With 26 points from 18 games, Seattle Sounders are currently eighth in the Western Conference standings, one point and one place below Wednesday's hosts, albeit with a game in hand.
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Team News
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Nashville will take to the pitch without the duo of Anibal Godoy and 25-year-old Handwalla Bwana, who are recuperating from thigh injuries.
With his strike against Charlotte, Mukhtar has now entered double digits for goals this season and we expect the German forward to spearhead the attack on Wednesday.
He should be joined by strike partner Charles Sapong, who has been involved in eight goals so far, while Sean Davis and Randall Leal could pair up at the centre of the park once again.
Meanwhile, Seattle Sounders will be without the services of Ragen, who is suspended after picking up a red card against Portland Timbers last time out.
On the injury front, the visitors remain without the midfield duo of Obed Vargas and Xavier Arreaga, who are currently dealing with back and hamstring injuries respectively.
Brazilian international Joao Paulo has been out of action since coming May through a cruciate ligament injury and the 31-year-old remains out of contention for the Rave Green.
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Romney, Zimmerman, Maher; Muyl, McCarty, Davis, Leal, Lovitz; Sapong, Mukhtar
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Tolo, Andrade, Gomez, A. Roldan; Rowe, Rusnak; C. Roldan, Lodeiro, Medranda; Montero
We say: Nashville SC 1-2 Seattle Sounders
Given their recent trend of dropping points right after a victory, Seattle Sounders will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways on Wednesday. Schmetzer's men take on a Nashville side who have struggled to find their footing on home turf so far and we are backing them to come out of the tie victorious.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
