MLS Match Preview: Nashville SC (11-4-5) vs. Philadelphia Union (12-4-4)

Two of the top teams in the MLS Eastern Conference collide as Nashville SC host Philadelphia Union at GEODIS Park in a potential first-place decider. With just two points separating the sides, this clash could reshape the top of the table and the Supporters’ Shield race.

Match Details

Fixture	Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union
Date	Saturday, July 5, 2025
Kickoff	7:30 PM CT / 8:30 PM ET
Venue	GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
Broadcast	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Head-to-Head	Philadelphia leads 5W–2L–2D in 9 meetings

Current Form & Standings

Team	Record	Points	Last 5 Matches
Nashville SC	11–5–4	38 pts (3rd East)	W–W–W–D–W
Philadelphia Union	12–4–4	40 pts (1st East)	L–W–W–D–W

Nashville SC are unbeaten in 13 straight matches across all competitions.

Philadelphia Union saw their 13-match unbeaten streak snapped last week in a 1–0 loss to Columbus.

Tactical Breakdown

Nashville SC

Strengths: Defensive organization, counter-attacks, home-field advantage

Key Players:

Sam Surridge: 16 goals in 20 games – MLS Golden Boot leader

Hany Mukhtar: 8 goals, 5 assists – creative heartbeat

Injuries:

Maximus Ekk, Taylor Washington, Tyler Boyd, Wyatt Meyer (all out)

Philadelphia Union

Strengths: Pressing structure, midfield control, set pieces

Key Players:

Tai Baribo: 13 goals in 16 games – may return from calf injury

Kai Wagner & Jakob Glesnes: Anchors of the league’s best defense (20 goals conceded)

Injuries:

Mikael Uhre, Olivier Mbaizo, Francis Westfield, Ian Glavinovich (all out)

Key Matchups to Watch

Duel	Edge
Surridge vs. Glesnes	Nashville – red-hot form and physical edge
Mukhtar vs. Bueno/Vassilev	Even – depends on space in midfield
Wagner vs. Muyl	Philadelphia – defensive discipline on the flank

Advanced Stats Snapshot

Metric	Nashville SC	Philadelphia Union
Goals Scored	36	35
Goals Conceded	25	20 (best in East)
Clean Sheets	6	7
xG Differential	+7.2	+8.5

X-Factor Players

Sam Surridge (NSC): 10 goals in his last 6 games – unstoppable form

Bruno Damiani (PHI): Could start up top if Baribo isn’t fit – needs to deliver