After a mid week trip out west, Nashville SC come back with a point after a 1-1 draw. Tonight, they take on a Toronto FC team that is looking to get their season back on track after a big transfer window.
Can the ‘Yotes pick up their first win at home since May 18th? Will Toronto be the next team to pick up a result at GEODIS Park?
Nashville SC
Current standing: 6th (West) | 8-9-7 | +1 GD
Injuries
QUESTIONABLE: Aníbal Godoy (thigh)
OUT: Aké Loba (trunk)
Nashville SC left Providence Park with a point but the end result left players and fans frustrated. I am not one to bring up referee performances in the context of results but several key decisions went against the Boys in Gold.
Tonight, they head back to GEODIS Park as they look to get a needed win at home. There have been too many instances, including last Saturday against Vancouver, that Nashville has allowed teams to stay in the match for too long.
Against the second worst team in the East, you have to win at home.
Coming off a midweek match, Gary Smith will be have to take fitness into account with his selection. One of the biggest areas of the pitch were rotation has been a factor is in the midfield but fortunately, Aníbal Godoy has been upgraded to questionable. I dont expect him to start against Toronto but could be a nice option to come off the bench and start to get his fitness back.
The biggest frustration for this team has been their struggles in the attack. Nashville has failed to score multiple goals in their past six matches and too often have chosen to sit back after going ahead. Against an often porous Toronto defense, Nashville should look to take advantage.
Nashville has looked an attacker or two light and the end of the transfer window saw Nashville pick up Toronto FC winger, Jacob Shaffelburg on loan. However, due to MLS loan rules, Shaffelburg will be unavailable for selection.
If Hany Mukhtar can spark this offense back to life, Nashville should come out of the match with a win.
Toronto FC
Current standing: 12th (East) | 6-5-12 | -9 GD
Injuries
QUESTIONABLE: Mark-Anthony Kaye (lower body)
OUT: Noble Okello (lower body), Quentin Westberg (lower body)
Toronto FC came into this season in the midst of a transition. Long-time designated player, Jozy Altidore, was released, Yefferson Soteldo was shipped out to Tigres and Bob Bradley was brought in to help rebuild this team.
In the off-season, TFC made one of the biggest signings in league history as they signed Lorenzo Insigne to a long-term contract. Unfortunately, Insigne would not be joining until after the Serie A season concluded. The name of the game was going to be survival until the summer window.
However, the first half of the season did not go as planned. Carlos Salcedo was signed to help steady an unstable defense but struggled both on the pitch and with family issues off the pitch resulting in him being released from his contract.
The summer transfer window allowed TFC to bring in some much-needed replacements. Lorenzo Insigne was finally added to the squad along with fellow Italian winger Federico Bernardeschi and Mark Anthony Kaye was signed to bolster the midfield.
Pod picks
Andy Simmons
Score: Nashville 2 – 0 Toronto
Scores: Randall Leal, Hany Mukhtar
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Leal hits a banger from outside the 18-yard box
Jonathan Slape
Score: Nashville 3 – 2 Toronto
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Randall Leal, Walker Zimmerman
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Zimmerman scores the game-winner.
Chris Ivey
Score: Nashville 2 – 2 Toronto
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Randall Leal
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Nashville gets the equalizer late in the second half
Ben Wright
Score: Nashville 3 – 1 Toronto
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar (x2), Teal Bunbury
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold Prediction: Nashville concede inside 10 minutes and come back.
Fan Forecast
#everyoneN are back at GEODIS park tonight as they face #TFCLIVE and their Italian superstars.
— Speedway Soccer 🐺 (@SpeedwaySoc) August 6, 2022
Vote in in our #FanForcast and reply with a #BoldPrediction.
Kit matchup
Match Info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Toronto FC
Odds: Nashville (-120), Draw (+260), Toronto (+290) via BetMGM
Date: Sunday, August 6
Time: 7:00 PM Central, GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: MYTV30
Radio: iHeartRadio Online (English); El Jefe 96.7 (Spanish)
Forecast: 90°/73°. Partly Cloudy 14% chance of rain. 55% humidity
