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Preview: Nashville SC v Columbus Crew SC

October 20, 2021
Jonathan Slape
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Nashville returned to the international break with a 0-0 Draw against D.C. United. Tonight, they return to Nissan Stadium to take on Columbus Crew SC. Can Nashville break their draw streak and get a win? Will Columbus be able to secure some much needed points in their race to make the playoffs?

Nashville SC

The draw streak continues for Nashville SC as they picked up an important point on the road against a good D.C. United team. There have been many instances this season where Nashville has come away disappointed with a point but this was not one of them.

Tonight, Nashville returns to Nissan Stadium for their penultimate home match of the season and will be looking to get a much needed three points. A win tonight could also secure playoff qualification with 4 matches to go as they look to also secure a crucial home game. Our very own, Ben Wright, does a great job of breaking the permutations here.

Due to several international players returning late, Coach Gary Smith was forced to make a few changes and rotate the squad slightly. However, tonight should give him the opportunity to slot several of those players back in to the lineup.

Randall Leal missed out against D.C. United due to an illness and his absence was clearly visible as Nashville struggled to find a link between the midfield and attack. Leal’s presence and linking play should facilitate C.J. Sapong and Hany Muhktar to do what they do best, score goals.

At the back, Daniel Lovitz will still be missing due to a foot injury which means that Taylor Washington will be back out at the left flank. On the right, Alistair Johnston should return to the starting lineup and offer a bit more attacking threat from the wingback position.

Columbus Crew SC

Coming in to this season, many people thought that the Crew had a chance to make a deep run into the CONCACAF Champions League and repeat as MLS Cup Champions. However, injures derailed their season from the off and the find themselves in tenth place, four points below the play off line.

They did bounce back from their 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union with a 4-0 thrashing of Inter Miami CF but will face a much sterner test this evening. They desperately need to secure at least a draw if they want any chance of qualifying.

Along with their current injury issues, both Jonathan Mensah and head coach Caleb Porter will miss out due to the leagues health and safety protocols. Assistant Ezra Hendrickson will be on the touchline and will be tasked with securing the much needed points. Expect to see something very similar to what personnel they deployed against Inter Miami.

Availability report

Pod Picks

Ben Wright

Score: Nashville 3-1 Columbus
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Daniel Ríos, Aké Loba
MOTM:  Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Loba comes off the bench for 20 minutes or more

Jonathan Slape

Score: Nashville 3-0 Columbus
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, C.J. Sapong, Randall Leal
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Nashville breaks the draw streak with a big win at home

Andy Simmons

Score: Nashville 2-1 Columbus
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, C.J. Sapong
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Mukhtar scores from a free kick

Fan Forecast

Kit matchup

Match Info

Teams: Nashville SC (2nd) vs Columbus Crew SC (10th)
Power Rankings: Nashville SC (3) vs Columbus Crew SC (19)
Odds: Nashville (-135), Draw (+250), Columbus (+400) via BetMGM
Date: Wednesday, October 20
Time: 7:30 PM Central, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
TV:  MYTV30 (local), ESPN+ (out of market)
Radio: 94.9 The Game 2 (English); El Jefe 96.7 (Spanish)
Forecast: 78°/62°. Sunny. 0% chance of rain. 56% humidity

Author: Jonathan Slapeoriginated from outside of Atlanta but has lived in Nashville since 2005. Original member of Speedway Soccer and has been talking and occasionally writing about Nashville SC since the USL days. Self proclaimed official fashion correspondent. Outside of Nashville SC you can find him singing the praises of Jurgen Klopp, discussing the latest in sneakers and soccer fashion with a good stiff drink.

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