MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 23:20:35| >> :600:4067737:4067737:
[monks data]
Nashville
Major League Soccer
Mar 17, 2024 at 12.30am UK
First Tennessee Park
Charlotte FC

Nashville
2 - 1
Charlotte FC

Surridge (32'), Muyl (40')
Maher (55')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Dejaegere (45+4')
Tavares (55'), Byrne (57'), Privett (81')

Preview: Nashville SC vs. Charlotte FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Nashville SC and Charlotte FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Nashville SC will attempt to claim their first MLS victory of the season when they welcome Charlotte FC to Geodis Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Charlotte are searching for their opening away win of the campaign, having failed to win either of their previous two road trips.


Match preview

Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith on February 24, 2024© Reuters

Nashville will have to pick themselves up for Saturday's fixture after their CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign was brought to an end by Inter Miami in midweek.

The Boys in Gold played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg, before goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor condemned them to a 3-1 defeat in Wednesday's return fixture.

After being eliminated at the last-16 stage, Nashville will turn their focus back to MLS action, with Gary Smith's side sitting in 10th spot in the Eastern Conference after beginning their domestic campaign with three consecutive draws.

They took a point off both New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids, before they gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in last weekend's home meeting with the LA Galaxy.

Nashville will certainly be keen to embark upon a winning run, having won just three of their last 19 matches in the regular season (D8, L8).

Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith looks on on February 25, 2024© Reuters

Dean Smith has experienced a mixed start to life as Charlotte head coach, with his first three MLS matches producing four points.

The former Aston Villa boss began his tenure with a 1-0 win over New York City, before he saw his side play out an away draw with Toronto.

Charlotte looked set to take a point off another Canadian club in last week's trip to Toronto, but a late Lorenzo Insigne strike ultimately condemned Smith to his first defeat in MLS.

The Crown, who occupy eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, will be keen to offer a lot more in the final third this weekend, having scored just two goals in their opening three matches.

Saturday's visitors have only competed in one competitive away game against Nashville, with last season's trip to Geodis Park producing two stoppage-time goals in a 1-1 draw.

Nashville SC Major League Soccer form:


Nashville SC form (all competitions):


Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Nashville SC midfielder Dru Yearwood (16) celebrates on March 10, 2024© Reuters

Nashville are unable to call upon defender Walker Zimmerman and midfielder Randall Leal due to knee and hip injuries respectively.

Sam Surridge could be presented with a starting opportunity after he came off the bench to score a late consolation in midweek.

Midfielder Dru Yearwood could be brought back into the side, having started each of Nashville's opening three MLS matches.

As for the visitors, they are having to cope without the services of Ben Bender, Tyger Smalls, Brandon Cambridge and Brandt Bronico.

Despite seeing his side fall to a defeat last weekend, Smith will likely select the same lineup used in the opening three matches of the season.

Liel Abada could be included in the matchday squad after the winger recently completed a move from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.


Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Macnaughton, Lovitz, Washington; Yearwood, Godoy; Boyd, Mukhtar, Shaffleburg; Surridge

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen; Dejaegere, Westwood, Urso; Vargas, Tavares, Copetti


SM words green background

We say: Nashville SC 1-1 Charlotte FC

Nashville may be slightly fatigued following their midweek outing in the Champions Cup, and we think they will have to settle for a point in Saturday's home contest, especially after drawing three of their four competitive home games this season.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:538996:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10143:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!



Game History

How you voted: Nashville vs Charlotte FC

Nashville SC
60.0%
Draw
20.0%
Charlotte FC
20.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Celtic's Liel Abada reacts on January 21, 2024
Read Next:
Celtic winger Liel Abada completes £10m transfer to Charlotte FC
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!