The winless skid continued for Atlanta United on Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati, and after a return home, they’re back on the road to face Nashville SC tomorrow…who, by the way, have an interim head coach (Rumba Munthali) after the club and Gary Smith parted ways. That’s coupled with the news that Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis are out for at least the weekend.
Needless to say, there are plenty of storylines for this latest edition of what’s always proven to be an interesting Southeastern derby.
Players To Watch
Nashville’s success hinges on the performance of Hany Mukhtar. By his standards, the German hasn’t quite been in the form he enjoyed during his MVP season in 2022, entering Saturday’s match with two goals and four assists through 10 matches. However, it only takes one moment to a player like him create magic, so Atlanta will hope that Mukhtar doesn’t have a “get right” game against them.
Nashville will also look for more production from Sam Surridge, who’s not quite achieved the level of play the club expected he’d provide when he signed from Nottingham Forest last year. Three of his five goals this season were scored against CF Montréal on May 4 — but he’s not found the net since then.
Of course, we can’t forget about Walker Zimmerman, who spent the early part of the season recovering from injury and is now back in the NSC lineup.
The Stats
The History
The series between the two teams is about as even as it gets in MLS play: 3-3-3, not counting Nashville’s 3-2 win in extra time in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. Atlanta is 1-3-2 in Music City across all competitions, the lone win coming in the Coyotes’ inaugural match in 2020 at Nissan Stadium.
Availability Reports
Will be updated after official reports are released.
Atlanta United
Out:
- Thiago Almada (calf)
- Giorgos Giakoumakis (hamstring)
- Tyler Wolff (knee)
- Derrick Williams (calf)
Nashville SC
Out:
- Randall Leal (hip)
- Lukas MacNaughton (ankle)
Questionable:
- Tyler Boyd (hip)
- Shaq Moore (hip)
- Dru Yearwood (ankle)
- Walker Zimmerman (knee)
Predicted Lineups
Atlanta United Predicted XI
Nashville SC Predicted XI
Score Predictions
Sydney: 1-1 draw
Tommy: 2-0 Nashville
Tyler: 2-2 draw
Henry: 1-0 Nashville
Grey: 2-0 Nashville
Jackson: 2-1 Nashville
Calum: 2-0 Nashville
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[…] Match Preview: Atlanta United at Nashville SC […]
1-1 or 2-1 Atl
About to head out to drive up to Nashville for the game, can’t say I have any faith though
I think it’ll be 2-1 Nashville
Can Pineda out-coach a youth coach?
Maybe
No.
Good question. Theoretically, yes. He should, but practically probably not.
I see a win, Nashville don’t really have the attacking talent to fear
I’d rather see Cobb than Abram. Let’s see what the kid can do with Gregerson next to him.
If Cobb doesn’t start tomorrow, I would assume Cobb will start along side Morales for the US Open Cup on Tuesday
My predicted starting 11:
Thiare
Silva McCarty Saba
Muyumba Slisz
Wiley Abram Gregersen Lennon
Guz
1-3 Nashville
I think your starting XI is close, but I’d have McCarty behind Slisz and Muyumba.
considering McCarty played 74 min on Wednesday I doubt he starts tomorrow. I would think he will be saved for the US Open Cup match on Tuesday. At best he comes off the bench for about 20 min
I agree (formation issue) but the players seem correct
prediction: winless streak continues. 0-2 nashville.
but we will probably win the possession battle!
Copying from another post, but with Almada and GG both out, we are reaching Shakespearen Tragic Comedy levels.