After extending their lead on top of the Supporters' Shield with a midweek road win over Red Bull New York, Nashville SC are back at Geodis Park with an Eastern Conference clash against the Columbus Crew.
After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 on the road, the 'Yotes are looking to complete their season sweep and earn their fourth three-match win streak of the season.
Here's everything you need to know heading into the match.
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Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew
Referees: Victor Rivas (Ref), Corey Parker (AR1), Gianni Facchini (R2), Allen Chapman (4th), Daniel Radford (VAR), Fabio Tovar (AVAR)
Odds: NSH (-150), Draw (+285), CLB (+340)
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN, United States
TV: Apple TV
Apple TV Commentary: Tony Husband & Ross Smith (English), Bruno Vain & Andres Agulla (Spanish)
Radio: 104.5 The Zone
Radio Commentary (104.5): Will Boling
Forecast: 89º/69º. 82º at kickoff. Sunny. 2-9 mph winds. 20% chance of rain. 62% humidity.
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Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 4
Nashville goals: 13
Draws: 4
Columbus wins: 4
Columbus goals: 14
Last meeting: CLB 0–1 NSH (March 14, 2026 | MLS)
Availability report
Published Friday at approximately 4 pm CT
Columbus Crew
The numbers
Goal leaders: Diego Rossi (6), Wessam Abou Ali (5)
Assist leaders: Max Arfsten & Dylan Chambost (4), Steven Moreira (3)
Last match: CLB 1-2 MTL (August 19, 2025 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 23rd (10.94 score)
Columbus Crew snapshot
It's been a really rough 2026 for the Columbus Crew. Legendary head coach Wilfried Nancy left after last season to join Celtic, a reign that lasted all of 33 days. Henrik Rydström was brought in as his replacement, but was fired in May after winning just five of his first 16 matches.
He was replaced by Laurent Courtois, the former head coach of the Crew's MLS NEXT Pro side and a tactically similar manager to Nancy. He's done much better so far, winning six of his 10 matches and instilling a much more attack-oriented approach.
A major issue has been with personnel. Diego Rossi, the Crew's leading scorer, was sold to Liga MX's CF Monterrey in the summer. Striker Wesam Abou Ali, their second-leading scorer, is out for the year with a torn ACL. Their third-leading scorer and primary creator Max Arfsten left for Middlesbrough in the summer.
The Crew are already in the midst of a full rebuild for 2027. They brought in Brais Méndez as a new Designated Player, and the former Sociedad playmaker looks like an absolute star at the MLS level. They also made a surprise move for former Manchester United and Villarreal defender Eric Bailly, who has yet to make his MLS debut, and former MLS MVP Josef Martínez, who played with Courtois in Montreal.
Under Courtois, the Crew have generally set up in a 4-4-2 system, with youngster Chase Adams breaking into the forward rotation. They're positionally flexible and get numbers forward, mirroring a lot of how Nashville like to play. With just one win in their last five matches, the Crew are in desperate need of points to keep any hopes of the playoffs alive.
Predicted XI
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Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (12), Hany Mukhtar (8)
Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza (10), Hany Mukhtar & Andy Nájar (5)
Last match: RBNY 0–1 NSH (August 19, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 2nd (36.72 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
Nashville SC are on pace for 78 points, which would not only win the Supporters' Shield, but set the MLS single-season points record.
Their 1-0 win over Red Bull New York midweek was the type of victory Shield winners need to be able to grind out. So is Saturday's match, taking on the 13th-placed team in the conference at home.
At this point, Nashville's team doesn't need much analysis. With Patrick Yazbek returning from injury against Red Bulls, they're all but fully healthy, with Warren Madrigal the lone injury absence. Expect as close to a full-strength lineup tomorrow with a full week before their next match, a home date with FC Cincinnati next Saturday.
Columbus have a Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Club América on Wednesday to think about, but Nashville are able to fully focus on their league slate. They'll go all out, and should be capable of a convincing win at home.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 3–0 CLB
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, Patrick Yazbek
MOTM: Elias Saad
Bold prediction: Nashville take at least three times as many shots at the Crew.
Chris Ivey
Score: NSH 2–1 CLB
Scorers: Cristian Espinoza, Hany Mukhtar
MOTM: Cristian Espinoza
Bold prediction: Josef Martínez tallies his first goal for Columbus, pulling him just a couple shy of moving into the Top 5 scorers in MLS history.
Harold Espinoza Lopez
Score: NSH 3–1 CLB
Scorers: Cristian Espinoza (x2), Sam Surridge
MOTM: Cristian Espinoza
Bold prediction: The Crew will score an own goal within the first 10 minutes.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 4–0 CLB
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2), Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza
MOTM: Elias Saad
Bold prediction: The nerds are silenced. Nashville wins the xG battle by two-plus goals.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: NSH 2–0 CLB
Scorers: Elias Saad (x2)
MOTM: Elias Saad
Bold prediction: Elias Saad’s breakout game sees him win Player of the Matchday.
