In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Ben Wright of SixOneFive Soccer to learn more about Nashville SC, New York City's road opponent on Saturday evening. Here is your NYCFC vs Nashville preview.
• League Form: D-W-D-W-W
• Record: 8W, 4D, 4L | 28 points, 3rd place
• Scoring Leader: Sam Surridge, 9 goals
• Assist Leader: Hany Mukhtar and Andy Najar, 4 assists
1. Nashville is on a roll
Hudson River Blue: After losing to Seattle 3-0 on Matchday 9, Nashville SC is on a nine-game undefeated streak in all competitions, picking up 15 points and skyrocketing up to 3rd Place in the Eastern Conference — it's the second-best run of form in MLS behind Philadelphia Union. After finishing third-to-bottom in the Eastern Conference last season, what’s working so well for BJ Callaghan’s side in the past month?
Ben Wright: In fairness, I don't think it's just been the past month. Before the Seattle game, Nashville were playing well and creating chances, they just struggled to finish at times and certainly didn't get some results they probably should have.
I think it all comes down to this "Nashville 2.0," as the front office calls it, actually working. With the hire of BJ Callaghan, the entire game model shifted and brought the club along with it. Nashville were a good team for most of Gary Smith's tenure, but they were pretty reactive and defensive. Under Callaghan, they're aggressive and go out to break teams down with the ball. They don't always dominate possession, but they do have clear ideas and patterns when they're on the ball, and I think it's getting the most out of the roster. Mike Jacobs also made some key signings this offseason that have really elevated the entire roster.
2. Nashville is strong at home
HRB: Nashville has 20 points in nine home games, the most in MLS. What makes GEODIS Park a fortress and a tough environment for road opponents?
BW: For whatever reason, Nashville never seemed to get great results at GEODIS. It's strange, especially given how good they were at Nissan Stadium while GEODIS was being built — they didn't lose a match at home in 2021, their final year at Nissan. I really think Callaghan's style is suited to play well at home. We all know how tough travel in MLS is and how the visiting teams rarely dictate games. In the past, I don't think Nashville was set up to take advantage of that at home, but now they're so much better on the ball while maintaining a high level defensively that we're seeing them get the results at home you'd expect from a top-tier club.
3. Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar are back to their best
HRB: Nashville scored 38 goals last season, the second-fewest in the league. But this year, Nashville has already scored 28 goals in 16 games. The attacking personnel haven’t changed that much, but what’s led to Nashville’s offensive resurgence this season?
BW: A few things. First, like I've mentioned, they have a really clear structure and ideas under Callaghan that are repeatable. It's leading to a lot of the same type of chances being created. Second, they've added some important new pieces. Andy Najar has been maybe the best right back in MLS and has been huge for them going forward. Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek have locked down their midfield and really given the attack a platform to succeed.
And third, Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge are back to their best. Surridge was quietly pretty good last year without much support, and while Mukhtar struggled for about a year, he instantly started improving once Callaghan took over. Mukhtar has genuinely been one of MLS's best attackers in recent league history, and he's now playing in a system that really suits him.
4. The X-Factor: The return of Walker Zimmerman
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
BW: Walker Zimmerman is coming back after almost two months out with a concussion. He played the final 45 against Columbus on Wednesday, but has a lot of competition now with Jack Maher playing his career-best soccer and Jeisson Palacios breaking out as a high-level defender. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Zimmerman gets his first start since the injury on Saturday, but who he's paired with will be fascinating to see.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
BW: I think Nashville takes this one 3-1.
