Preview: Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SC

After dropping their first home match of 2026, Nashville SC are heading to Pennsylvania to take on the 2025 Supporters' Shield winners, Philadelphia Union.

The match will take place a few days before Nashville's biggest game of the season, an away trip to El Volcán to face Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final.

Match info

Teams: Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SC Referees: Elijio Arreguin (Ref), Andrew Bigelow (AR1), Brian Dunn (AR2), Calin Radosav****(4th), Geoff Gamble (VAR), Mike Kampmeinert (AVAR) Odds: PHI (+135), Draw (+230), NSH (+185) Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 Time: 6:30 pm CT, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States TV: Apple TV Apple TV Commentary: Chris Wittyngham & Lori Lindsey (English), Diego Pessolano (Spanish) Radio: 104.5 The Zone Radio Commentary (104.5): Will Boling Forecast: 71º/58º. 66º at kickoff. Mostly sunny. 5-10 mph winds. 0% chance of rain during match. 62% humidity.

Head-to-head

🆚

Meetings:11 Nashville wins:4 Nashville goals:11 Draws:3 Philadelphia wins:4 Philadelphia goals:12 Last meeting: NSH 3-1 PHI (September 15, 2025 | U.S. Open Cup)

Availability report

Availability Report: Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SCWill Sam Surridge be available after another injury setback?SixOneFive SoccerSixOneFive Soccer Staff

Philadelphia Union

Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The numbers

⚫

Standings: 15th (East) | 5 points | 1W-2D-7L | -8 GD Goal leaders: Danley Jean Jacques & Milan Iloski (2) Assist leaders: Alejandro Bedoya (3), Nathan Harriel & Frankie Westfield (2) Last match: CLB 2-0 PHI (April 25, 2026 | MLS) Data Power Rankings****:**** 27th (4.87 score)

Union snapshot

Head coachBradley Carnell had an incredible debut season with the Union, winning the club's second ever Supporter's shield. Unfortunately for the South African, things haven't panned out in his sophomore year with the club.

Following their Supporters' Shield triumph, the Union sold key players, including their 2025 top goalscorer, Tai Baribo, and their all-time assist leader, Kai Wagner. The replacements in the squad, especially in attack, like Agustin Anello and Ezekiel Alladoh , haven't been able to leave their mark.

The Union began the 2026 MLS season with a historic 6-game losing streak, the worst start for a Supporters' Shield holder and the worst in club history. They have since picked up two draws and a lone win against CF Montreal.

Zoomed N: Philadelphia Union with José NuñezJosé Nuñez stops by to catch us up on the Union ahead of Saturday’s matchSixOneFive SoccerSixOneFive Soccer Staff

Philadelphia's over-reliance on young academy graduates and minimal spending has led them to the last spot in the Eastern Conference. Only Sporting Kansas City has scored fewer league goals than the Union, whose nine goals in 10 games are the lowest in the East.

Starting center back Japhet Sery Larsen picked up a red card in the last minute of their game against the Columbus Crew. However, the MLS Disciplinary Committee overturned the decision, and he will be available for the match.

Perhaps the only positive for the Union's season is that youngster Cavan Sullivan is playing more minutes. The highly rated 16-year-old has played in 12 games, scoring 2 goals and assisting 4 times across all competitions.

Olivier Mbaizo and Quinn Sullivan remain out with long-term injuries. Frankie Westfield missed their last game, while Jesús Bueno was subbed out at halftime, both due to injury. Their status is still unclear.

Predicted XI

---

If you're still reading this, you love Nashville soccer. So do we! Sign up today for the best Nashville soccer coverage on the market.

Sign up!

---

Nashville SC

Christina Moore-SixOneFive Soccer

The numbers

🟡

Standings: 1st (East) | 22 points | 7W-1D-1L | +15 GD Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (9), Cristian Espinoza & Hany Mukhtar (3) Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza & Mukhtar (5), Andy Nájar (4) Last match: NSH 0-1 Tigres (April 28, 2025 | Champions Cup) Data Power Rankings****:**** 3rd (31.15 score)

Nashville SC snapshot

The Boys in Gold have done a great job of taking care of business in MLS, despite their midweek Champions Cup matches. The one-game-at-a-time mentality might be hard for fans to implement, but the players seem fully bought in.

Head coach BJ Callaghan has generally rotated in between Champions Cup games. However, his options might be limited in attack with superstar Sam Surridge picking up a back injury during the home match against Charlotte.

Eddi Tagseth might also be missing after being subbed off in the 18th minute against Tigres in the midweek.

Callaghan's rotation strategy has usually included bringing in the superstars like Cristian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar in the second half. This opens a great opportunity for the likes of Woobens Pacius and Shak Mohammed to start in the front line. It's also likely to see Bryan Acosta, Jack Maher andJosh Bauer in midfield and defense.

Nashville have generally carried on playing the same style at home and away, despite the players selected. The Union play a similar aggressive style, but with Nashville's current form and quality, they will be the favorites.

Ahmed Qasem is likely to start the match, coming off a goal and an assist in his last MLS start. With some of the regular starters being injured or rested, he will play a bigger role and take more responsibility in the attack.

Predicted XI

Staff predictions

Ben Wright

Score: PHI 0-1 NSH Scorers: Ahmed Qasem MOTM: Ahmed Qasem Bold prediction: A fringe (or even HCFC player) makes his MLS debut

Chris Ivey

Score: PHI 1-2 NSH Scorers: Ahmed Qasem, Hany Mukhtar MOTM: Ahmed Qasem Bold prediction: Philly press much less effective than what we saw from Tigres, giving Yotes plenty of opportunities to get in behind

Jeff Remlinger

Score: PHI 0-0 NSH Scorers: MOTM: Schwake Bold prediction: There will be a red card in the game. Philly won't score. Can Nashville brute force another away win?

Ronan Briscoe

Score: PHI 1-1 NSH Scorers: Pacius MOTM: Corcoran Bold prediction: Whether it's Woobens, or someone else, somebody is nabbing their first goal of the season

Valair Shabilla

Score: PHI 1-1 NSH Scorers: Hany Mukhtar (pen) MOTM: Hany Mukhtar Bold prediction: Neither team will exceed three shots on target.