Nashville SC (10W-9L-9D, 39 pts.) returns home to GEODIS Park on Wednesday night looking to extend its win streak to three matches against the Colorado Rapids (8W-11L-8D, 32 pts.).
The Boys in Gold are riding back-to-back wins after beating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-0 on the road on Saturday night. Defender Jack Maher scored a brace, while Randall Leal bagged a beautiful long-range goal. Nashville SC put up a clean sheet in back-to-back matches and did not allow a shot on target in either match. The victory also vaulted Nashville SC to fifth place in the Western Conference, just five points shy of third place, with six matches remaining in the regular season.
Wednesday’s match is the second of three in eight days for Nashville, with the stretch concluding on Saturday with a home match against Austin FC. With the playoff race in full swing, you won’t want to miss any of the action. Tickets are still available here [LINK].
Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday’s match
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tenn.)
TV: MyTV30
Local Stream: NashvilleSC.com/stream, Nashville SC app
English Radio: iHeartRadio Online, Nashville SC App
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7 FM
Tickets
A-Z Matchday Guide
GEODIS Park Policies
Parking and Transportation Info
Matchday Lineup
Rolling Down the Stretch – Nashville SC is heating up at the right time with two straight multi-goal wins and clean sheets. It's the first time Nashville has scored three or more goals in back-to-back matches this season and continues an unbeaten run when having the lead at halftime this season (7W-0L-6D).
With the recent run of success, Head Coach Gary Smith says the team remains focused and buoyant moving forward.
“I don’t think this group is going to get too high,” Smith said. “We're delighted that we’ve won back-to-back games. We’ll be in great shape come Wednesday night to play Colorado, given some of the guys that didn’t get on the field today. The guys can see these final games are going to be a challenge. But I think maybe for the first time in a little while we’re in a place of confidence and positivity. The players will be looking forward to these challenges now.”
Mukhtar Making History – With a pair of assists on Saturday night, he became just the 15th player in MLS history to have double-digit goals and assists in multiple MLS seasons. He’s also the first MLS player to reach that threshold this season.
The MVP candidate played 65 minutes in the victory, and despite the match being out of reach at that point, Smith said Mukhtar had the drive for more.
“He’s absolutely all-in on chasing down this MVP award,” Smith said. “And also more importantly, getting us above the line and into a more appreciative position in the league where we can make the most of any playoff situation. You can see tonight with the armband, there’s a feeling around the group that we have an individual that’s very special.”
Rapids Rematch – This will be Nashville SC’s second matchup against Colorado this season. On May 28, the Boys in Gold went to Colorado and won 3-1 thanks to three goals in rapid succession in the first half, including a brace from Mukhtar.
Colorado currently sits in 11th place in the Western Conference with a five-point gap to the last playoff spot. The team is led in scoring by Diego Rubio with 12 goals in 23 matches played, with USMNT striker Gyasi Zardes right behind him with seven goals. Colorado scored four or more goals in back-to-back victories to start the month of August.
The Rapids have been playing well at home with a 7W-2L-5D record, but have only one win on the road this year (1W-9L-3D).
