It's an Eastern Conference faceoff at Geodis Park on Saturday, as Nashville SC take on New York City FC. This marks the last matchday for Major League Soccer before a lengthy World Cup break. Following this weekend's action, the league will resume matches on Thursday, July 16.
Here's everything you need to know before tonight's match.
Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs New York City FC
Referees: Alexis Da Silva (Ref), Stefan Tanaka-Freundt (AR1), Kali Smith (AR2), Sergii Boiko (4th), Kevin Terry Jr. (VAR), Logan Brown (AVAR)
Odds: NSH (-145), Draw (+270), NYC (+360)
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee, 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): Lucas Panzica
Forecast: 81°/68°. 75° at kickoff. Mostly cloudy. 5 mph winds. 25% chance of rain. 84% humidity.
Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 3
Nashville goals: 10
Draws: 2
NYC wins: 3
NYC goals: 9
Last meeting: NYC 2-1 NSH (August 17, 2025 | MLS)
Availability report
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
New York City FC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Nico Fernández Mercau (9), Hannes Wolf (5)
Assist leaders: Maxi Moralez (6), Nico Fernández &
Agustín Ojeda (4)
Last match: CLB 1-0 NYC (May 20, 2026 | US Open Cup)
Data Power Rankings: 12th (17.46 score)
New York City FC snapshot
It has been an inconsistent 2026 for New York City FC, who started the season strongly but have not been able to keep up the form. Since the initial four-game unbeaten streak to start the season, they have only managed back-to-back wins once.
To make matters worse, the Pigeons were eliminated from the US Open Cup on Wednesday night by a struggling Columbus Crew with an interim manager.
NYCFC are often graded on a curve due to their stature and being in a big market. They are firmly in a playoff position and have a handful of game-changing players. At the top of the list is Nico Fernández Mercau, who is in the Golden Boot race with nine goals in the league. Fernández Mercau leads the team in goal contributions as well, with 13. The Argentine is technically playing out of position as a false nine, but things seem to be working out just fine for him.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
On the other side of the pitch is Matt Freese, the likely starter for the United States in the World Cup. The 27-year-old is coming off his best season in 2025 and has largely maintained his good form into 2026 despite changes in front of him.
It's a homecoming for Nashville-area's own Malachi Jones, who has shown incredible potential, but unfortunately has been hindered by injury. The former Lipscomb Bison returned recently from a broken leg injury that saw him out for nearly a full year. While a start might not be likely, he might make a cameo off the bench.
The biggest blow for New York City came last weekend when club legend Maxi Moralez was stretched off the pitch. The club announced on Thursday that the 39-year-old will undergo surgery to repair his ruptured ACL. With his age and contract status (his current deal is up at the end of the season), there's no telling if or when he'll return to professional soccer.
We’re behind you every step of the way, Maxi and Kevin 💙
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 21, 2026
Maxi Moralez will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured ACL in his left knee, while Kevin O’Toole has successfully undergone surgery on his groin and abdomen and will begin rehab immediately with Club medical staff.… pic.twitter.com/H2FDCFgiAO
Pascal Jansen will ensure his squad ends this phase of the league with a strong performance, but he might be limited in his choices. Moralez is not the only player missing due to injury. Talles Magno, Aiden O'Neill, Alonso Martínez, and Kevin O'Toole are unavailable as well. With seemingly half the team injured and a midweek US Open Cup loss to Columbus, it's safe to say NYCFC will not be at their best for the match on Saturday.
Predicted XI
Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (9), Hany Mukhtar (6), Warren Madrigal (5)
Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza (7), Hany Mukhtar & Andy Nájar (5)
Last match: NSH 3-2 LAFC (May 17, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 3rd (32.26 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
After a disappointing loss in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, the Boys in Gold seem to have regained their form and momentum. Despite missing starters Andy Nájar, Patrick Yazbek, Eddi Tagseth and Sam Surridge, Nashville SC lead the Supporters' Shield race.
Their latest win against LAFC was thanks to an incredible performance from DP and club captain Hany Mukhtar. The German scored a hat-trick, including two direct free-kicks, and helped the team on both sides of the ball. This sort of form is nothing new for the 2022 MLS MVP; he has been Nashville's superstar since the start of his career at the club.
Ben Wright
Nashville have been one of the best defensive teams in the league, thanks to their backline, especially the partnership of center back Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi. The two have also been aided by the entire team, as BJ Callaghan insists on an "everyone defends, everyone attacks" style.
Brian Schwake's performance against LAFC was worthy of a Man of the Match award and was only topped by Mukhtar's hat-trick. Schwake took over the starting job at the beginning of 2026 and has played every minute of the season thus far.
With the injuries facing Nashville, players like Bryan Acosta, Matt Corcoran and Warren Madrigal have stepped up when needed. Those three, alongside some fringe players like Charles-Émile Brunet and Josh Bauer, will likely be called up again Saturday night.
Callaghan gave a positive update on Surridge, who has missed the last six matches with a back injury suffered in a 4-2 win over Charlotte.
"Sam was able to complete pieces of full-team training this week," he said. "He still has a few more checkboxes to hit from the end of today through a little bit of the morning tomorrow, but we are hopeful that he'll be able to play some type of role for our team tomorrow."
Callaghan and the squad will be looking to maintain their position at the top of the table. With the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, and Inter Miami all within reach, any slip-up from Nashville likely means losing the top spot going into the break.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 4-0 NYC
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar (x2), Ahmed Qasem, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: 'Yotes are natural predators of Pigeons (don't fact-check me on that, I'm not an animal scientist).
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 3-2 NYC
Scorers: Cristian Espinoza, Warren Madrigal (x2)
MOTM: Warren Madrigal
Bold prediction: NYCFC go ahead at least once during the match
