Nashville SC have been stifling opponents and aim for their sixth shutout of the season when they face New York City FC on Saturday night at Citi Field in New York.
Nashville (3-2-2, 11 points) has allowed a league-low two goals thanks to its stingy defense. It marks the seventh time an MLS team has given up just two tallies through the first seven games of the season.
Nashville played a scoreless tie with visiting Toronto FC on April 8. One of Nashville’s shutouts was a 2-0 home victory over NYCFC on Feb. 25.
Saturday’s meeting is the final one in the regular season between the two clubs.
“It’s a little bit strange. It wouldn’t be usual circumstances,” Nashville coach Gary Smith said of the series concluding this early. “There will be some familiarity from the opening game of the season and some emotions from the opening game. … They are always a very competitive and creative group.”
Walker Zimmerman and Jacob Shaffelburg scored the goals in the first matchup. Joe Willis, who is tied for the league lead with five clean sheets, made two saves.
NYCFC (2-2-3, 9 points) will look to create more scoring opportunities in the rematch.
“We know they’ve got a very good defense — the way they defend all together, even with the midfield, they are pretty strong — but we have a game plan for that,” New York City defender Maxime Chanot said. “We have enough quality in this squad to make sure we can beat them, and we’ll try to score goals against them.”
NYCFC are just 0-1-2 over their past three matches and are coming off a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on April 8. Gabriel Pereira scored New York City’s goal.
NYCFC could be without three key players against Nashville, including midfielder James Sands, who has been called up by the U.S. men’s national team for a friendly against Mexico on Wednesday. Sands sustained a foot injury during the game against Atlanta United.
“There’s a lot of pain there,” NYCFC coach Nick Cushing said. “He’s not been outside this week — maybe this game comes too soon for him. I don’t know.”
Kevin O’Toole missed the Atlanta match due to nursing a lower-body injury. Fellow forward Matias Pellegrini will be sidelined Saturday due to yellow card accumulation.
Nashville’s Zimmerman and fellow defender Shaq Moore are also on the USMNT roster for the Mexico match.
Meanwhile, Nashville has scored just six goals. Reigning MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar has just one after scoring a league-high 23 last season.
Nashville is 2-0-1 all-time against NYCFC.
–Field Level Media
