It has been a busy season for Nashville SC, and it's going to be even busier after advancing to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. After eliminating Inter Miami, Nashville face another Florida side in Orlando City, but this time in MLS play.
The Boys in Gold and the Lions know each other very well; they have played against each other in the league, MLS playoffs, and U.S. Open Cup. The difference this time is that Orlando City will not be coached by Óscar Pareja for the first time since Nashville joined the league.
Ben Wright
Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Orlando City
Referees: Victor Rivas (Ref), Jeffrey Swartzel (AR1), Walt Heatherly (AR2), Sergii Demianchuk (4th), Kevin Stott (VAR), Claudiu Badea (AVAR)
Odds: NSH (-190), Draw (+340), ORL (+430)
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 5:15 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN, United States
TV: MLS Season Pass – Apple TV (Free), Fox Sports 1
Apple TV Commentary: Chris Wittyngham, Gio Savarese (English), Diego Pessolano (Spanish)
FS1 Commentary: Mike Watts, Lloyd Sam (English)
Radio: 104.5 The Zone
Radio Commentary (104.5): Will Boling
Forecast: 81º/58º. 81º at kickoff. Sunny. 7 mph winds. 20% chance of rain. 64% humidity.
Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 5
Nashville goals: 25
Draws: 5
Orlando wins: 7
Orlando goals: 27
Last meeting: ORL 3-2 NSH (September 20, 2025 | MLS)
Orlando City
The numbers
Goal leaders: Martín Ojeda (2)
Assist leaders: Iván Angulo (3)
Last match: ORL 2-1 CFM (MLS regular season)
Data Power Rankings: 28th (4.63 score)
Orlando snapshot
It was a rough end to 2025 for Orlando City, and things didn't get better in 2026. They ended last season with one win in 12 matches (ironically against Nashville), and started this season 0W-0D-3L.
The bad form resulted in Orlando parting ways with their longtime head coach, Pareja. Despite winning the U.S Open Cup in 2022 and being the only manager to lead the team to the playoffs, his run with the Lions came to an end.
To replace Pareja on an interim basis is Martín Perelman, who has hit the ground running by beating CF Montréal in his first match in charge. Perelman was the manager of Orlando City B and has been an assistant with the first team since 2024.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Stylistically, there doesn't seem to be much different in the way Orlando play. They still rely on being organized at the back and giving away very little to the opponents, though, with more time in charge, Perelman might change some things for Saturday's match.
The talisman for the Lions remains to be Martín Ojeda, who leads the team with two goals and dictates Orlando's attack. Another player to keep an eye on is Ivan Angulo, who has started the season well, despite the results not always going Orlando's way.
While Marco Pašalić and Duncan McGuire have not been as consistent as Orlando fans would like, the quality is clearly still there. The latter even scored the opener against Montreal last week.
Predicted XI
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Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (4), Hany Mukhtar (2), Cristian Espinoza, Warren Madrigal (1)
Assist leaders: Patrick Yazbek, Cristian Espinoza & Warren Madrigal (2)
Last match: NSH 1-1 MIA (Concacaf Champions Cup R16)
Data Power Rankings: 3rd (25.70 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
Nashville SC have seemingly played every three days since the beginning of the season. That said, BJ Callaghan has made good use of his squad, rotating frequently. In preparation for the big Champions Cup match against Miami, Callaghan made eight changes to his starting lineup in Columbus.
The Orlando match comes only a few days after Nashville's trip to Fort Lauderdale, though Callaghan will probably make fewer changes. Thanks to the upcoming international break, Nashville have a two-week break before they take on Chicago in early April.
Nashville's DPs continue to deliver; the combination of Cristian Espinoza, Hany Mukhtar, and Sam Surridge is already looking to be a nightmare for MLS defenders. The trio has already contributed to 10 goals in Nashville's four league matches. Not to mention, three other goals in the Champions Cup, including Espinoza's crucial goal against Miami.
Perhaps Nashville's attack is not a huge shock considering the names, but what has been a pleasant surprise for the Nashville faithful is the defensive prowess. Nashville have only allowed three goals in eight matches in all comps. There have been standout performances from newcomer Maxwell Woledzi, veteran Jeison Palacios and 2025 Open Cup hero Brian Schwake.
Nashville's system focused on team play and controlled aggression, which also helps in keeping clean sheets. At the center of it all is Patrick Yazbek, who seems to have leveled up again this season.
The Boys in Gold will go into this match as clear favorites, a trend that has been evident, especially in home games.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 3–1 ORL
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Maxwell Woledzi, Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Cristian Espinoza
Bold prediction: Espinoza grabs a hat-trick of assists.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 4–0 ORL
Scorers: Sam Surridge (2), Hany Mukhtar, Patrick Yazbek
MOTM: Patrick Yazbek
Bold prediction: All 4 goals in the second half after a slow start
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 2–1 ORL
Scorers: Sam Surridge (2)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Brian Schwake gets his first assist
