MLS Match Preview: New York City FC (5-5-4) vs. Nashville SC (9-1-3)

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Kickoff: 8:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM CT

Venue: GEODIS Park — Nashville, Tennessee

Broadcast: Apple TV — MLS Season Pass

Venue Profile — GEODIS Park

  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Capacity: ~30,000 (largest soccer‑specific stadium in the U.S.)
  • Surface: Natural grass
  • Atmosphere: Loud, energetic, and one of MLS’s most intimidating home venues
  • Team Fit: Nashville thrives at home with compact defensive structure and lethal counterattacks

GEODIS Park is known for elite defensive performances, high‑tempo transitions, and a strong home‑field surge, especially in night matches.

Weather Forecast (Nashville)

Kickoff Weather Rating: 8/10 — Warm, breezy, ideal for attacking play

  • Temperature: 74–77°F
  • Sky: Partly cloudy
  • Wind: 8–12 mph from the south
  • Rain Chance: 15%
  • Humidity: 60–65%
  • Impact:
    • Slight humidity may slow late‑game tempo
    • Wind may influence long diagonals and set pieces
    • Excellent pitch conditions expected

Injury Report

New York City FC

  • Santiago Rodríguez — Probable (ankle)
  • Mounsef Bakrar — Probable (hip)
  • Keaton Parks — Questionable (groin)
  • Thiago Martins — Out (knee)
  • Malte Amundsen — Out (foot)

Nashville SC

  • Hany Mukhtar — Probable (hamstring)
  • Sam Surridge — Probable (shoulder)
  • Walker Zimmerman — Questionable (back)
  • Shaq Moore — Out (hamstring)
  • Aníbal Godoy — Out (knee)

Impact Summary:

  • NYCFC missing Thiago Martins weakens their defensive spine.
  • Nashville missing Moore and Godoy affects right‑side balance and midfield ball‑winning.
  • Mukhtar and Surridge both expected to play — massive for Nashville’s attack.

Team Records & Recent Form

New York City FC (5‑5‑4)

Last 5: 2‑2‑1 Road Record: 1‑3‑2 Goals For: 18 Goals Against: 19

Form Notes:

  • Attack improving with Rodríguez healthy
  • Defense inconsistent, especially on the road
  • NYCFC struggles vs. elite defensive teams

Nashville SC (9‑1‑3)

Last 5: 4‑0‑1 Home Record: 5‑0‑1 Goals For: 22 Goals Against: 9 (best in MLS)

Form Notes:

  • One of the hottest teams in MLS
  • Mukhtar in MVP‑level form
  • Defense elite at home, allowing just 4 goals in 6 matches

Key Player Matchups

1. Hany Mukhtar (NSH) vs. NYCFC Midfield

  • Mukhtar’s creativity vs. Parks’ uncertain availability
  • If Mukhtar finds pockets, Nashville controls tempo
  • NYCFC must deny central channels

Edge: Mukhtar

2. Sam Surridge (NSH) vs. NYCFC Center‑Backs

  • Surridge’s movement vs. a weakened NYCFC back line
  • NYCFC struggles vs. physical strikers
  • Expect Nashville to target early through balls

Edge: Surridge

3. Santiago Rodríguez (NYCFC) vs. Nashville Defensive Shape

  • Rodríguez is NYCFC’s best creator
  • Nashville’s compact block limits central creativity
  • Rodríguez must drift wide to find space

Edge: Nashville

4. NYCFC Wingers vs. Nashville Fullbacks

  • Nashville missing Shaq Moore weakens right‑side coverage
  • NYCFC may target that flank
  • Still, Nashville’s defensive rotations are elite

Edge: Even, slight lean Nashville.

Series History

  • All‑time: Nashville leads 3–1–2
  • At GEODIS Park: Nashville leads 2–0–1
  • Last 5 meetings: Nashville leads 3–1‑1

Trend: Nashville has historically controlled this matchup, especially at home.

Betting Trends

New York City FC

  • 1–3–2 in last six road matches
  • Unders hit in 3 of last 5
  • Conceded first in 7 of last 10

Nashville SC

  • 5–0–1 at home in last six
  • Unders hit in 4 of last 6
  • Scored 2+ goals in 5 of last 6

Head‑to‑Head

  • Nashville unbeaten in last four vs. NYCFC
  • Unders hit in 3 of last 4 meetings

MATCH ODDS

New York City FC              + 330

Nashville SC                       – 135

Draw                                     + 275

Over 3.5 + 120                  Under 3.5 – 150

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026