Who: Philadelphia Union at Nashville SC

What: MLS Matchday 32

When: Wednesday, October 28th, 8:30 PM EST

Where: GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee

Watch: Apple TV

Whistle: Pierre-Luc Lauziere (REF), Diego Blas (AR1), Stephen McGonagle (AR2), Jon Freemon (4TH), Younes Marrakchi (VAR), John Krill (AVAR)

 

Nashville SC are still very much in with a chance to grab the single-season MLS points record (Inter Miami hold the record with 74), and just need four points in three games to do so. The Union finally faltered after a lengthy unbeaten run last time out, but can still clinch a playoff spot with a win on the road.

The newly-crowned Supporters’ Shield winners haven’t lost at home this year, and have only drawn once. That result, though, was just two games ago in a 1-1 match against San Jose. Philly, a usually strong road side, has been shaky on the road as of late, which might be a cause for concern. 

 

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Well, it finally happened. A 2-1 home defeat at the hands of New England ended the Union’s 15-match, club-record unbeaten run. Hope is not completely lost, though, as the Boys in Blue can clinch with a result against Nashville on Wednesday. 

A loss was a harsh result for interim manager Ryan Richter’s side, though, as they amassed more xG (2.54-2.24) while more than doubling the Revs shots. A Carlos Gil stoppage-time pen secured the win, although a late Neil Pierre headed over two defenders added yet another to his growing tally. 

Nashville has won three of the last four matches between these two, but a 0– draw on May 2 will provide the Union some hope that they can grab a result against a side going for the MLS points record. These two teams have scored a similar amount of goals, but Nashville have conceded 23 goals to Philly’s 50, a worrying figure.

The Union missed Cavan Sullivan last match, who was out with an ankle injury. That obviously hurts, but what might hurt even more is the news that striker Milan Iloski will now be out for the next two matches, along with fellow striker Bruno Damiani, who is suspended. A mightily weakened front line puts some strain on Richter and the forwards he has available, but the Union are still in with a chance to clinch.  

 

Injury Report: OUT:  Milan Iloski (Hamstring), Jesus Bueno (Hamstring), Cavan Sullivan (Ankle)

Disciplinary Report: SUSPENDED: Bruno Damiani (YC Accumulation)

 

Scouting Report: Nashville SC

Nashville, who are led by former USMNT manager BJ Callaghan, have been the best side in MLS this year, as demonstrated by their near-record points total (70) and remarkable home record (14-0-1). They’re riding an unbeaten run not quite as long as the Union’s, but are on five wins in six games, regardless.

Hany Mukhtar leads the front line, and he does it well. He’s scored 17 MLS goals this year while assisting on seven, numbers which rival his career highs even at age 31. Sam Surridge and Cirstian Espinoza also line up top, with 18 goals for Surridge and 12 assists for Espinoza, respectively.

Callaghan has used a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 this season, with good results either way. They lined up in the 4-3-3 last time, a 2-0 win at Montreal. Previously, and more commonly, though, Nashville has used a 4-2-3-1, with a rotating cast filling in on one of the flanks while Surridge sits above Mukhtar and Espinoza goes out wide.

Nashville is led in goal by Brian Schwake, the 25-year-old goalkeeper with remarkable stats this year.  Schwake has only conceded 23 goals in 30 games this year while keeping 14 clean sheets and even saving a pair of penalties. This is a very tough Nashville side to break down, and even if you do, they’ve got a wall in net. 

 

Injury Report:  N/A

Disciplinary Report: N/A

 

Matchup to Watch: Mukhtar and Surridge vs Philly’s Defense

These two have combined for 35 of Nashville’s 66 goals this year, a frankly ridiculous tally. They’ve been doing it in this league for a few years now, and are about to face a young-ish Union backline that’s coming off a tough loss. How do guys like Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield react to not only the previous result, but also the talent in front of them? 

Player to Watch: Hany Mukhtar

It feels obvious to say, but when you’re a former MLS MVP with 24 goal contributions in league play alone this year, you’re the player to watch. Mukhtar can find space anywhere, and make ridiculous plays in the tightest amounts of space. Richter will surely be planning around stopping him, but even if you do, there’s still a guy named Sam Surridge. 

Score Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1-2 Nashville SC

Nashville has enough talent to win this game, but that doesn’t mean the Union won’t make it close. A super strong home record will favor the hosts, who still have both of their main attackers, something Philly can’t say. The Union can still produce outside of Iloski and Damiani, but how much is the question.