Match Preview: Nashville SC vs New York City FC
Amidst a run of nine games unbeaten in all competitions, Nashville SC looks to finish off a busy month of May with a home win in front of their fans against NYCFC.
In this fixture last year, the Boys in Gold won their first home game in the post-Gary Smith era, with a lone goal from Tyler Boyd providing the difference on that day.
All-time, Nashville SC have won all three meetings between these clubs in the Music City, whereas NYCFC have prevented Nashville from ever winning in The Big Apple, collecting just one draw.
Let’s take a look.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2025
Time: 3:30PM CST (local)
Location: GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
Listen: WGFX 104.5FM The Zone
Referees: Jon Freemon (REF), Jeremy Kieso (AR1), Eduardo Jeff (AR2), Sergii Demianchuk (4TH), Eduardo Jeff (VAR), Sorin Stoica (AVAR)
Head Coaches: B.J. Callaghan (NSH), Pascal Jansen (NYC)
Injury Report
Nashville SC
OUT- Taylor Washington, Julian Gaines, Maximus Ekk, Tyler Boyd
QUESTIONABLE- None
New York City FC
OUT- Jacob Arroyave, Malachi Jones, Kevin O’Toole
QUESTIONABLE- None
Lineup Prediction
Now is the time. Ahead of Joe Willis in goal, I’m officially predicting a first returning start for Walker Zimmerman, alongside Dan Lovitz, Jeisson Palacios and Andy Najar.
Zimmerman played a full half against Columbus, and looks more than fit. He should make his return to Nashville on Saturday.
The midfield pairing of Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek should be unaltered from midweek, though the front four seems unlikely to. I’m predicting Alex Muyl and Jacob Shaffelburg regain their starting places, alongside Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge who have been two of the most dangerous DPs in Major League Soccer.
Analysis & Prediction
Results helped Nashville in midweek even as they dropped points in Columbus. They remain in 4th in the East, two points off Cincinatti in 2nd and five points off Philadelphia on top.
NYCFC sit in 8th, on 24 points level with their Hudson River Derby counterparts the Red Bulls ahead of them. In midweek, the Pigeons were embarassed at home by Houston, and they’ll be looking to rebound.
Nashville getting a “break” after this is a bit of an understatement, as they won’t play again until June 14th after this one, and June 25th after that. Whatever gas they have left needs to be used here, home points are vital.
They’ve been in really, really good form as of late. Especially two players, Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, who have combined for 25 goal contributions thus far this season.
Give me Nashville 2-1, and the goals coming from the main men oncemore, Mukhtar and Surridge.