Nashville SC look to continue their run to the Supporters’ Shield when they visit the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
Eastern Conference-leading Nashville (13-2-4, 43 points) sits five points ahead of Inter Miami. This lead was extended by Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Miami, as Nashville scored three unanswered goals within a 14-minute span in the second half.
“We’re not here to make statements or anything like that,” said coach BJ Callaghan, downplaying the importance of one victory with almost three months remaining in the regular season.
“You play a really good team on Saturday night, and you’ve got to turn the page because you’re staring down another really good that maybe challenges us in different ways … This is the fun part of playing, right? This is why each and every night you have to create your game plans (and) be ready to execute,” Callaghan said.
The decisive win over the defending MLS Cup champions highlighted Nashville’s all-around quality. The club is fourth in the league goals scored (39) and has allowed a league-low 15.
By contrast, the Red Bulls (7-8-4, 25 points) have conceded 16 goals just over their last nine regular-season games. New York’s 41 goals allowed are fourth-most in the league.
Containing Nashville’s attack will be a tall order, but Red Bulls midfielder Adri Mehmeti wants the entire lineup to embrace the challenge.
“If the ball gets behind us, go put out the fire,” Mehmeti said. “Go be brave, go make a big tackle, big block. We can celebrate that moment because then that gets us going, and especially at home, that’s going to get the fans going and put the other team under pressure.”
The Red Bulls are 1-3-0 in their last four matches, including a 2-1 loss to last-place Atlanta United last Saturday.
More than half of New York’s 30 goals this season have come from Julian Hall (nine) and Jorge Ruvalcaba (seven).
Sam Surridge leads Nashville SC with 12 goals, and the striker is tied for fourth in the Golden Boot race.
Midfielder Patrick Yazbek is available after missing Nashville’s last nine MLS matches with a quad injury. Forward Warren Madrigal (five goals, three assists) is questionable after missing the Miami game due to a lower-body injury.
–Field Level Media
