Nashville SC play host to Orlando City in game two of the first round of MLS Cup playoffs, with the visitors holding a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Lions managed a 1-0 result in game one, as Wilder Cartagena’s long-range strike propelled the central Florida side to victory. Orlando dominated the box score, and they’ll be looking to do more of that on the road in game two.
Nashville are known to play a more defensive brand of soccer, but they can’t really afford to do that this time. In an elimination game, Gary Smith’s side must be more expansive and do more than simply rely on Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge to make something happen out of thin air.
Nashville SC vs Orlando City H2H
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Country |
TV Channel / Live Stream |
|---|---|
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United States |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
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United Kingdom |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
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Canada |
Apple TV + |
There are no new injury concerns for Smith, with center-back Nick DePuy still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered back in February.
The team saw a disappointing end to the 2023 MLS campaign, winning just one of the last five games. Despite nearly lifting the Leagues Cup trophy, narrowly losing to Inter Miami in the final, Nashville has yet to play at full potential.
Nashville SC predicted lineup vs Orlando City ( 4-4-2 ): Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Shaffelburg, Davis, Godoy, Muyl; Surridge, Mukhtar.
Jack Lynn is a doubt for the contest due to a recent thigh injury and is expected to return to the mix later this month.
Orlando City saw an uptake this season, with youngster Duncan McGuire playing an integral role in the team’s success. McGuire, coupled with Facundo Torres, propelled the Florida side to new heights.
Orlando City predicted lineup vs Nashville SC ( 4-2-3-1 ): Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Pereira, Angulo; McGuire.
The script will be flipped, as Orlando, at times, may setup to be more defensive as they have no pressure to go and win the contest knowing they have another try at home if they fail to win game two. They’ll still press for chances, but they won’t be gunning to get the ball up the pitch like Nashville will.
Surridge and Mukhtar need help in attack as they can’t do it all by themselves, which became a weakness for the Coyotes near the end of the regular season. The Lions will probably show a bit of gamesmanship en route to sweeping Nashville and advancing in the playoffs.
Prediction: Nashville SC 0-1 Orlando City