Nashville SC ready to clash with aggressive FC Dallas

Well-rested Nashville SC will hope to keep their offensive spark burning when they visit FC Dallas on Saturday night.

Nashville (1-0-0, 3 points) is off to the most explosive start to a season in club history, scoring 11 goals in its first three contests. The Boys in Gold had the luxury of resting key parts of their strong front line for Tuesday’s game. Nashville defeated Atletico Ottawa 5-0 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup opener, winning 7-0 on aggregate.

“We know that going into this tournament we have to utilize our entire team,” coach BJ Callaghan said after the win. “We feel confident in our entire team. And, you know, I think competition brings out the best in everyone. And I think the debut you saw tonight and the performance you saw tonight came from that, right?”

Woobens Pacius and Jordan Knight, veterans of Nashville’s Next Pro team Huntsville City FC, scored their first goals for the senior team over two legs. Designated Players Sam Surridge (two goals) and Hany Mukhtar are expected back in the lineup after scoring in Nashville’s 4-1 win over the New England Revolution in their MLS season opener. Offseason acquisitions Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal are likely to join.

They will face a Dallas team (1-0-0, 3 points) coming off their first 3-2 win of the season against Toronto FC. Designated player Petar Musa scored a brace, including the winner in the 74th minute. The Croatian international’s well-timed header from the center of the box beat Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gabran and ended up at the near post.

When asked if he thought Musa was the most underrated forward in MLS, coach Eric Quill said, “I see it every day, I watch the league.” “If you don’t think this guy is a top nine player in the league, you need to get your head checked.”

Logan Farrington added a goal and an assist for Dallas.

The game will be the first meeting between the two teams since June 2023 and is a 2-1 win for Nashville.

–Field level media