On Saturday, winger Elias Saad played his first minutes for Nashville SC. The 26-year-old winger, who played at the 2026 World Cup for Tunisia, was named to the bench after receiving his visa earlier in the week, and came into the match in the 61st minute with Nashville leading 2-1.
For the bulk of the match, Saad played on the left wing, with Nashville set up in their typical 4-2-2-2. In possession, this shape ended up looking like a 3-2-5, with Saad generally hugging the left touchline, occasionally tucking inside when Dan Lovitz pushed forward on the overlap.
Late in the match, with Hany Mukhtar withdrawn due to a knock and Nashville throwing numbers forward in search of a winner, Saad ended up switching positions with Warren Madrigal, playing centrally next to Sam Surridge.
