Nashville SC aims to build on a four-game unbeaten streak and the best overall performance of their season when they host the struggling New England Revolution on Saturday in an Eastern Conference clash.
Nashville (4-4-7, 19 points) heads home after a resounding midweek 2-0 victory at FC Cincinnati that snapped the home side’s seven-game winning streak. Jack Maher scored in the 25th minute and Jacob Shaffelburg added a tally four minutes later as Nashville produced their first win under the tutelage of interim coach Rumba Munthali.
The team has posted a pair of draws and a win in the three games since Munthali took charge after Gary Smith was fired.
“The team played really well, especially having a short week and a short turnaround,” Munthali said after the win in Cincinnati. “Guys were energetic. Guys executed. I’m extremely pleased at how many different players have contributed over these last three games. It was a great step in the right direction for our club.”
Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis produced his third clean sheet in the last four games. Hany Mukhtar assisted on both goals in Wednesday’s win, increasing his tally to a team-leading six assists. Mukhtar has nine goal contributions across 13 league matches.
The Revolution (2-10-1, 7 points) are at the bottom of the East standings, have the fewest points in MLS and the lowest total points per game in the league (0.54). New England have lost six of their past eight games and have dropped three contests in a row, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of New York City FC on May 25.
New England produced statistical advantages in possession percentage, shots and shots on target in the loss to NYCFC but conceded in the 81st minute and was unable to find the equalizer.
“We focused a lot this week on just the final third,” New England coach Caleb Porter said Wednesday. “We’re going to turn this thing around, 100 percent. We just have to take care of the details and in some cases, it’s confidence as well. The good news is we’re getting in good spots.”
The Revolution have not found the net in their past two games — both at home — and have not scored in 191 minutes, dating back to the 90th minute of a 4-2 loss at the New York Red Bulls on May 11.
Carles Gil leads New England with four goals; the rest of the Revolution has combined for just five tallies.
Nashville owns a 2-1 edge in the all-time series with three draws. The sides split their two games last year, with each winning at home.
–Field Level Media
