Nashville SC are focused on climbing the league standings when they visit Charlotte FC on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams sport the same 3-2-1 record with 10 points.

“Going to Charlotte is a great opportunity for us,” said Nashville manager B.J. Callaghan. “It’ll be a great challenge.”

Callaghan’s tactics have transformed Nashville SC into a high-flying team defined by a prolific offense and an unflinching defense. Their ability to adapt to their opponent allows them to throw even the most talented defenses into chaos.

“For us, it’s not about who takes a position on the field, it’s that those positions are taken up,” Callaghan said. “I think that gives us that blend of creating close connections between players and allowing players to work in twos or threes to interchange, with the idea of trying to disorganize and throw the opponent off balance.”

Nashville defeated Portland, Philadelphia and Montreal before losing last weekend to FC Cincinnati.

Charlotte comes off a 2-0 loss at Colorado defined by a stagnant attack and clumsy defending. Despite entering the match with one of the league’s best offenses on paper, the team knows that countering one of MLS’ best offenses will be no easy task.

“We’ve just started looking at Nashville on video. We must be aware of how good they are on the counterattack,” said Charlotte defender Tim Ream. “They’re good in transitional moments.

“But there’s also a lot of moments that we can take advantage of, like when they get too tight or leave pockets of space in areas we’re good at getting into.”

Although Charlotte’s star-studded front three may receive most of Nashville’s attention, the latter club must be wary of midfield duo Brandt Bronico and Ashley Westwood. Both are as capable of busting up attacks on their goal as they are leading the charge in transition.

–Field Level Media