Nashville SC will go in search of their fourth win of the MLS campaign in the early hours of Sunday morning, as they take on Los Angeles FC at Geodis Park.
The hosts are currently sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference while the reigning champions are yet to taste defeat this season.
Match preview
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Nashville had conceded just two goals in their first seven games in 2023, shipping the fewest number of goals in MLS through the first seven games, but that title is now gone after the 2-1 loss to New York City FC last Saturday.
Keaton Parks's header in the 11th minute was the earliest goal Nashville had given up since March 2022, before Maxime Chanot doubled New York's lead in the 25th minute.
Although Hany Mukhtar's second goal of the season in the 81st minute initiated a comeback for Gary Smith's side, Nashville could only muster just one additional shot, meaning they had nothing to show for their efforts in the Big Apple.
The Music have picked up a respectable seven points from their four home affairs so far, although their most recent home outing was a frustrating goalless stalemate with Toronto FC.
Nashville lost the meeting with Los Angeles at Geodis Park last season, so Smith will be determined to see his side put that right this weekend.
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As for the visitors, LAFC have enjoyed a fantastic start to their MLS campaign, picking up where they left off in 2022 as the defending champions look like a solid favourite to retain their crown.
Not even the demands of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) seem to be able to slow down Steve Cherundolo's men, who advanced to the semi-finals of that competition last Tuesday, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0, winning the tie 6-0 on aggregate.
That victory was followed by a thrilling derby day triumph, as LAFC celebrated their first El Trafico road win against Los Angeles Galaxy, courtesy of Carlos Vela's brace and Ryan Hollingshead's strike in the 70th minute.
So far, fatigue does not appear to be a factor for Los Angeles, who have 17 points domestically after seven games while posting four clean sheets in their last five games in all competitions.
In addition, LAFC emerged from last weekend's El Trafico victory as the only team in the MLS to remain unbeaten after matchday eight, leaving them in second place in the Western Conference, one point behind St Louis City, although Cherundolo's side have a game in hand.
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Team News
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Nashville will continue to be without Randall Leal and Nick DePuy, who have both failed to feature this season due to injury, but Smith does not have any new injury issues to deal with heading into the match.
Hany Mukhtar will look to retain his place in Nashville's attack after the German scored his second goal of the season last time out. Smith may opt to start Teal Bunbury to partner Mukhtar up front with CJ Sapong still yet to score this campaign.
As for Los Angeles, Maxime Crepeau remains out after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup final last season, while Carlos Vela looks set to keep his place in attack after featuring in every game for LAFC this campaign.
Denis Bouanga will be keen to add to his 11 strikes this season, making him the club's top scorer across all competitions, and his six goals in the MLS leave him two shy of Jordan Morris in the race for the golden boot.
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Muyl, Godoy, Davis, Picault; Bunbury, Mukhtar
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Hollingshead, Murillo, Chiellini, Palacios; Sanchez; Tillman, Acosta, Cifuentes; Vela, Bouanga
We say: Nashville SC 1-3 Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles are on a roll coming into this game, and nothing appears to be slowing them down any time soon.
Nashville have proven themselves to be a solid defensive unit, but LAFC have too many weapons across this roster, so we think they will claim all three points this weekend.
How to watch
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