Fourth-placed New York Red Bulls are set to host ninth-placed Nashville SC at the Red Bull arena on Sunday in MLS' Eastern Conference.
After 17 games the home side have 29 points and are just six from first-placed Inter Miami while also having a game in hand, whereas the visitors have 19 and are in a battle to retain their position in their conference's final MLS Cup playoff spot.
Match preview
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The hosts will be thrilled with their 2024 campaign considering that they are averaging 1.71 points per game, significantly more than last season's tally of 1.26.
In fact, the Red Bull Army are on track to record their best points total since 2018 when they finished first in both their conference as well as the Supporters' Shield.
The home side are also nine points clear of eighth-placed Philadelphia Union, who occupy the first of the division's MLS Cup playoff spots.
It should be noted that while the home side lost their last MLS game 1-0 against New England Revolution last Sunday they have still accumulated 12 points in their last six league fixtures, the third-highest figure of any of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference.
Sandro Schwarz was named head coach in December 2023 and became the club's 20th coach in 29 seasons after replacing Gerhard Struber, who led New York Red Bulls to an eighth-placed finish last term.
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Schwarz has been in charge for 17 MLS games and has overseen eight wins, five draws and four losses so far.
In the Eastern Conference only Inter Miami have scored more league goals than the hosts' 29, but interestingly they have conceded 23, one more than opponents Nashville.
The away side come into the match having lost their previous MLS game against bottom-placed New England on June 2, and have won just twice in their last six league matches.
Nashville have only won seven of their last 34 fixtures in the division and have lost 15 times in this period.
Some of the team's inconsistencies this season can be attributed to the departure of manager Gary Smith in the middle of May, though he did manage to win his final game 2-0 against Toronto FC.
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Smith's relationship with the fans had deteriorated to such an extent that prior to the victory he was booed by Nashville's home crowd during pre-game introductions.
Former player and current player development coach Rumba Munthali has taken over as interim head coach while the club searches for their next permanent appointment, and holds a record of one win, one loss and two draws.
However, despite this upheaval it should be noted that the visitors are still in a position to qualify for the MLS Cup as they occupy the league's final playoff spot, and they sit just five points behind sixth-placed Toronto with a game in hand.
Team News
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The hosts have a number of players away on international duty, including goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, defenders Noah Eile and John Tolkin, midfielders Emil Forsberg and Daniel Edelman and forward Lewis Morgan.
Elsewhere, defender Andres Reyes, midfielder Peter Stroud and forwards Roald Mitchell and Serge Ngoma are all expected to return to action in late June.
As for the visitors, they will be without midfielder Anibal Godoy, who is at the Copa America with Panama.
Nashville will also be unable to call upon centre-back Lukas MacNaughton after he had surgery on an injured ankle in April, while Costa Rican midfielder Randall Leal remains a doubt after last featuring against Inter Miami on April 21.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Meara; Harper, D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Duncan; Gjengaar, Valencia, Amaya, Carmona; Vanzeir, Manoel
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Davis, Yearwood; Muyl, Mukhtar, Boyd, Surridge
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-2 Nashville SC
New York Red Bulls have had a better season than Nashville so far, but the sheer number of absentees as a result of international duty and injury could be to the away side's benefit.
Additionally, both teams have been vulnerable defensively at times this campaign, and this could make for an entertaining game on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
