Preview: FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC

Decision Day generally means teams fighting to get above the playoff line or improve their position. For Nashville, those two things are already set. However, the Boys in Gold can clinch the MLS all-time points record with a draw or a win at TQL Stadium, taking on an FC Cincinnati side looking to avoid the Wild Card round.

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Match info

Teams: FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC
Referees: Tori Penso (Ref), Brooke Mayo (AR1), Jeffrey Swartzel (AR2), Carlos Rodriguez (4th), Michael Radchuk (VAR), Joshua Patlak (AVAR)
Soccer Datavizer odds: CIN (30%, 1.08 xG), Draw (31%), NSH (39%, 1.27 xG)
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm CT, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
TV: Apple TV
Apple TV Commentary: Tony Husband & Ross Smith (English), Gustavo Luques & José Romero (Spanish)
Radio: 104.5 The Zone
Radio Commentary: Will Boling
Forecast: 53º/39º. 53º at kickoff. Partly cloudy. 3-8 mph winds. 0% chance of rain. 70% humidity.

Head-to-head

Availability report

Published on Friday at 4pm CT.

FC Cincinnati

The numbers

Cincinnati snapshot

FC Cincinnati clinched their playoff spot after their 1-nil win over the Philadelphia Union in the penultimate MLS weekend. That said, the season has been full of ups and downs for the Queen City faithful. And compared to the level of soccer they got used to, the season has been mostly downs.

After one win in nine matches, it looked like Cincinnati would miss the playoffs altogether. However, head coach Pat Noonan got the best out of his squad again and went undefeated in the next four games, including three wins.

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The Orange and Blue enter Decision Day in seventh place, but can finish anywhere from sixth to ninth. Cincy's main goal is to avoid dropping into the play-in spot and add an extra game to an already busy MLS playoff schedule. Their Ohio rivals, the Columbus Crew, are two points behind them in eighth place, while Orlando City are in ninth, trailing by three points.

Cincinnati can also look up the table at the Philadelphia Union in sixth, just one point ahead. Finishing sixth would likely mean avoiding Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, who beat Cincinnati 4-0 at home in last season's playoffs.

One of the biggest issues behind Cincy's disappointing season is their defensive fragility. Thanks to a rotating cast of injured defenders and a strange exit for Matt Miazga, FC Cincinnati have conceded the third-most goals in MLS.

In attack, though not always firing, Evander remains a huge threat. The Brazilian has 31 goal contributions in MLS, and on his best days, he plays at an MVP level. Aiding Evander in attack is Kevin Denkey. The striker had a bit of a resurgence midseason, but hasn't scored in his last five matches.

Cincinnati haven't had many issues finding the back of the net, with their defenders and midfielders even getting into the act in their last few games. The question remains whether their defense can keep up with Nashville's elite attack.

Predicted XI

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Nashville SC

The numbers

Nashville SC snapshot

It has been one success after another for BJ Callaghan and Nashville SC. In a little over two years with the club, Callaghan has delivered two trophies, an entertaining style of play and broken tens of records.

While Nashville's success is a team effort, Callaghan has been the leading force behind the club's mentality shift, alongside the front office and the players.

The Boys in Gold will look to reward their coach, the club and the fans by getting at least a point in Cincinnati. The game itself doesn't have huge implications for this season; however, the prospect of becoming the best team in MLS history is on the table.

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Nashville's key is to avoid repeating what happened in the first half against the Red Bulls. The Boys in Gold looked sluggish and sloppy, allowing two goals in seven minutes. They found a way in the second, but they could've avoided it if they'd been sharper to start.

As Nashville have shown all season, defensive solidity isn't just on the defenders. Callaghan and his staff have drilled the importance of defending from the top to every player in the squad. Even the DP attackers are treated as the first line of defense in the game plan.

With a whopping 73 goal contributions among Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza, all three will look to get on the scoresheet as the playoffs approach.

Predicted XI

Staff predictions

Ben Wright

Score: CIN 0-1 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville get it done.

Jeff Remlinger

Score: CIN 2-2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Warren Madrigal
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville barely set the points record. They dominate the xG battle, but Cincy’s match winners earn them a draw.

Ronan Briscoe

Score: CIN 1-1 NSH
Scorers: Andy Nájar
MOTM: Brian Schwake
Bold prediction: Points record set, and results elsewhere dictate that Columbus jumps Cincy for 7th, sending the Garys to the play-in.

Valair Shabilla

Score: CIN 1-1 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Eventually, both teams will realize a draw is good enough and stop trying to win.

Pre-match media