Nashville SC coach Gary Smith knows his struggling team must make the most of their home games to end a five-game winning streak against CF Montreal on Saturday.
Nashville sits in 14th place in the Eastern Conference standings with just eight points from nine games, and their only league win in 2024 came against Charlotte FC in mid-March.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by the San Jose Earthquakes last time out as the pressure continued to mount on Smith and he knows they are running out of time to turn things around.
“We are all very grateful and understand that the home games represent the best opportunity to collect points,” said Smith.
“But I wouldn’t say I feel any more pressure than any other home game or other game.”
“Remember what you have learned. Save yourself, it can.” -Yoda@DiscountTire | #EveryoneN pic.twitter.com/yljJcS15do
– Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) May 2, 2024
Montreal’s preparations, meanwhile, have been overshadowed by reports that star midfielder Mathieu Choiniere has requested a transfer after entering the final year of his contract.
Head coach Laurent Courtois is unclear about Choiniere’s intentions but would like the homegrown talent to stay put.
“Everyone loves Mathieu, everyone wants him to be appreciated, everyone wants him to stay here,” Courtois said.
“Everyone wants him to take the club as high as possible for as long as possible.
“There will be discussions everywhere between players and the club to improve their contract situation and that doesn’t always have to be in the public eye.
“I don’t know the veracity of the rumor that has emerged. The club didn’t tell me anything.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Mukhtar scored one of his six shots in the last game against San Jose.
Since moving to MLS in 2020, he has taken a total of 388 shots, 100 more than any other player in the league during that time.
CF Montreal – Bryce Duke
Montreal managed just eight shots in its most recent scoreless draw against the Columbus Crew. Only Austin FC (7.8) has averaged fewer shots per game than Montreal (9.6) this MLS season.
Duke has created nine chances for his teammates this season, a tally matched only by Choiniere among Montreal players. If they want to improve their attacking performance, he will have a key role to play.
.@NashvilleSC pic.twitter.com/gOsMZp3Vxy
— CF Montreal (@cfmontreal) May 2, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC
Nashville has just three wins in 21 MLS games (ten draws, eight losses, including playoffs) since the end of the League Cup last August.
They are also winless in their last five games, drawing two and losing three, but the visit of a Montreal team that doesn’t travel well could give Smith’s men a boost.
Montreal remained winless in four away games, failed to score in the last three games and conceded a total of ten goals in this series. This game could come at a good time for the hosts.
OPTA PROBABILITY OF WINNING
Nashville SC – 49.4%
CF Montreal – 23%
Draw – 27.6%