After a scrappy 1-0 win over CF Montréal midweek, Nashville SC are back in action on Saturday, heading south to take on Orlando City SC in a match that has become something of a rivalry.
Here's everything you need to know heading into the game.
Match info
Teams: Orlando City vs Nashville SC
Referees: Ramy Touchan (Ref), Eric Weisbrod (AR1), Meghan Mullen (R2), Carlos Rodriguez (4th), Daniel Radford (VAR), Kevin Huet (AVAR)
Odds: ORL (+200), Draw (+265), NSH (+110)
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm CT, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL, United States
TV: Apple TV
Apple TV Commentary: Evan Weston & Dax McCarty (English), Ramses Sandoval, Miguel Gallardo, and Antonella Gonzalez (Spanish)
Radio: 104.5 The Zone
Radio Commentary (104.5): Will Boling
Forecast: 93º/77º. 87º at kickoff. Scattered rain. 2-8 mph winds. 50% chance of rain. 69% humidity (not nice).
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Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 6
Nashville goals: 30
Draws: 5
Orlando wins: 7
Orlando goals: 27
Last meeting: NSH 5–0 ORL (August 23, 2025 | MLS)
Availability report
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Orlando City
The numbers
Goal leaders: Martín Ojeda (11), Tyrese Spicer, Griffin Dorsey, Marco Pašalić, Duncan McGuire (2)
Assist leaders: Ivan Angulo (4), Justin Ellis (3)
Last match: SJ 0–4 ORL (July 22, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 29th (-0.42 score)
Orlando City snapshot
Orlando City weren't great in the first half of the season by any stretch. They conceded 44 goals in their first 15 matches, on pace for the worst defensive record in the history of the league by a significant margin (they're trending towards 90 goals allowed, 12 worse than the 2024 San Jose Earthquakes).
Coming out of the World Cup, though, there are at least things to be excited about. For one, Antoine Griezmann joins as one of the biggest signings in the club's history. While he's 35 years old, he's coming off a 15 goal, eight assist season for Atlético Madrid in which he made 59 appearances in all competitions. The 2018 World Cup winner is still a high-level player.
They've also brought back a former Lion in striker Daryl Dike. After an injury-hit four seasons with West Brom, limited to just 68 matches, he's back where he broke out initially. Dike scored 19 goals in 41 matches initially with Orlando, and he's looking to rediscover his scoring form... and hopefully stay healthy while doing it. At 26 years old, he hasn't even entered his prime years yet, and Orlando could seriously upgrade their attack with the combination of Dike and Griezmann.
Two key players will be absent. Midfielder Eduard Atuesta will miss the match through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card against the San Jose Earthquakes, while talisman Martín Ojeda is out with a quad issue that could see him sidelined through Leagues Cup.
They hit the ground running after the restart, though. On the road against the San Jose Earthquakes, who had conceded just six goals in their prior seven home matches, Orlando dropped a dominant 4-0 win, with Griezmann marking his MLS debut with a goal.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN!!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 23, 2026
Grizi gets his first goal in MLS on his debut. 🇫🇷🤙🤙 pic.twitter.com/sawo0h1yLJ
The table shows a team at the bottom of the table, but the reality on Saturday – especially playing at home – will be a much tougher test for Nashville.
Predicted XI
Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (10), Hany Mukhtar (6)
Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza (8), Hany Mukhtar & Andy Nájar (5)
Last match: NSH 1–0 MTL (July 22, 2026 | MLS)
Data Power Rankings: 2nd (35.36 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
Nashville SC have two wins on the bounce after resuming their post-World Cup campaign, but it's been far from pretty. They marginally won the expected goals battle against Atlanta United and CF Montréal, and while they deserve credit for their ability to grind out wins, the last two games have continued their worrying pre-World Cup trend of struggling to create consistent chances from the run of play.
Some rustiness is certainly expected after 54 days without a match, but it's concerning to see them look so far off from the team that scored 32 goals in their first 14 matches.
Injuries haven't helped. Nashville went into the break injured and needing rest, and they come out of the break somehow even more injured. Warren Madrigal, Cristian Espinoza, and Reed Baker-Whiting have missed both matches, and neither Madrigal or Espinoza will be back against Orlando. All three are starters in Nashville's strongest lineup, and to have them absent after such an extended period of rest is a concern. Backup 'keeper Joe Willis is a surprise name on the injury report, meaning Xavier Valdez is set for a rare foray as the reserve 'keeper.
Elias Saad could make his Nashville debut if his paperwork clears. The Tunisian World Cup veteran was signed as one of the highest-paid non-Designated Players on the roster, and he should give the squad an attacking boost. Fitness shouldn't be an issue after playing competitive matches just a few weeks ago, and getting him integrated and contributing quickly will go a long way towards boosting Nashville's trophy push down the stretch.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: ORL 1-1 NSH
Scorers: Sam Surridge
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Elias Saad is on the bench and makes his Nashville debut (third time is a charm).
Christina Moore
Score: ORL 1–2 NSH
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Another scrappy win, and one where the final score probably overstates how dangerous the opponent actually was.
Colby Hitchcock
Score: ORL 2–1 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville score a late winner to keep them five points clear at the top of the table.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: ORL 0–0 NSH
Scorers: No one
MOTM: Jeisson Palcios
Bold prediction: I actually fall asleep during the game.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: ORL 2–2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Brian Schwake
Bold prediction: Orlando’s backline is still probably terrible, but they've added firepower up front that could make up for it.
