Preview: Nashville SC Needs a Bounce Back vs. Columbus Crew

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC was embarrassed last time out, suffering a 5-0 defeat at the hands of LAFC, although fans across middle Tennessee likely need no reminding of the scoreline. Talk of Gary Smith’s ability as the gaffer as well as the lack of squad depth that GM Mike Jacobs and company complied heading into the season is at an all-time high. The good news is that both Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar appear to have fully regained their fitness, but Nashville is still missing one critical man that is hindering Smith’s ability to play his preferred back-four formation — Walker Zimmerman.

While it is comforting to think that Nashville’s defensive woes will be cured upon the captain’s return, that likely won’t be the case. Nashville has been outscored 10-2 over its previous three matches and the return of one player won’t fix numbers like those overnight. Last weekend, Brent Kallman played well all things considered as Zimmerman’s stand-in. Despite the veteran’s performance, Nashville was a disaster across the back with individual errors, unforced turnovers and sloppy play across the board dooming the club before LAFC’s strong performance was even factored into the equation. Not to mention, a red card flashed in the direction of GK Joe Willis in the 62′ minute didn’t help either.

Don’t forget, Nashville SC will be without Zimmerman for much of the summer should he be called up by Greg Berhalter to represent the USMNT at Copa América in June. The squad needs to figure out how to defend without Zimmerman, and doing so before his summer absence is almost a necessity.

While Zimmerman likely remains out, Jacob Shaffelburg and Aníbal Godoy returned to Nashville this past week after international stints with Canada and Panama respectively and will be available for selection.

Nashville must eliminate unforced errors and attack if they want to compete against a side as menacing in possession as Columbus. Counter-attacking has proved successful against the Crew in the past, but given the current form of Nashville’s defense, Smith’s side must play with the ball at its feet and create regular pressure for its opposition — long balls to Surridge and a prayer won’t be enough against a Wilfried Nancy-coached squad.

Nashville has it work cut out for itself against the reigning MLS champions who have picked up where the left off so far in 2024, but within the confines of Gedois Park, the Boys in Gold always have a solid shot at three points.

Scouting Columbus Crew (10 Pnts, 4th in East)

The Crew are coming off a maddening 2-0 defeat that featured some of the most shocking referring and what might be the most chaotic first half in MLS so far this season. From red cards to missed hand balls to overturned goals to suspect penalty decisions, Wilfried Nancy’s group surely felt his side was done wrongly. That being said, the loss was the first for the Crew since its second match of the 2023 playoffs. Since that loss to Atlanta United, Columbus has posted an 8W-1L-2D record, outscored its opponents 20-10 and added a Philip F. Anschutz Trophy to its cabinet.

Cucho has been terrific for Columbus with three goals and one assist through five matches, and to Columbian nearly had his fourth score until it was overturned for offsides. The Canadian Jacen Russell-Rowe has two goals on the year and Aidan Morris is the only other man to find the net for the Crew in 2024, both of whom just returned to Columbus this past week from international duty as well.

Projected Starting XI

Gary Smith likely employs a three-back system once again on Saturday night with Dan Lovitz and Shaq Moore as wing-backs. Aníbal Godoy and Sean Davis roam the middle with with Tyler Boyd and Hany Mukhtar swapping sides when in possession.

Alexy Muyl and Jacob Shaffelburg are likely the first two off the bench.