Minnesota United at Nashville SC
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Geodis Park, Nashville
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: KSTP-AM 1500
Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy, 7 mph north wind
Betting line: MNUFC plus-320; draw plus-290; Nashville minus-140
Form: MNUFC (1-0-1, 4 points) won its home opener 1-0 over FC Cincinnati last Saturday to stay unbeaten in the young season. Nashville (1-0-1, 4 points) had a scoreless draw at Dallas last weekend following a 4-1 blowout home win over New England in the season opener.
Recent matchups: The two teams haven’t played in MLS since 2022, a 2-1 Minnesota victory. The winning goal was scored by Alan Benitez, which was the Paraguayan’s only goal for the club. Nashville demolished Minnesota 5-0 in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal in 2023.
Theme: The Loons had a meeting Tuesday about finding ways to upgrade their scoring chances. Wil Trapp said the focus is on making an extra pass or play to increase the probability of a goal. MNUFC appeared to be settling for shots outside the box against Cincinnati, especially in the first half.
Absences: Michael Boxall (adductor) is out. James Rodriguez (contusion) is questionable. The Colombian attacking midfielder did not complete the training session on Thursday and is considered day-to-day. “It’s really out of an abundance of caution,” head coach Cameron Knowles said.
Scouting report: Nashville represents the most dangerous attack Minnesota has faced so far this season. Striker Sam Surridge and attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar remain at the top of the billing but are joined this year by former San Jose playmaker Cristian Espinoza and 21-year-old Costa Rican Warren Madrigal.
“They really commit numbers forward; they have incredible movement,” Knowles said. “They are very efficient in picking teams apart when you give them space to play, so we have to be really disciplined as a group in how we defend. I think we showed a lot of that in the last game.”
Without the veteran Boxall as a linchpin at center back, Knowles said the Loons’ replacement options include Devin Padelford, Nico Romero and Carlos Harvey. They will have their hands full in Tennessee.
Stats: Loons forward Kelvin Yeboah’s two goals this season have come off six total shots and his production sits above his 1.74 expected goals, per FotMob.
Prediction: Nashville returns home, where they were dominant against the Revolution in the season opener on Feb. 21. Minnesota will be without a key leader and will find it hard to match that high gear. Nashville wins 2-1.
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