Philadelphia Union
Union Limp Into Nashville as Injuries Mount Against Shield Winners
The Union limp to Nashville for a midweek matchup against the Supporters’ Shield winners. Three of the Union’s star forwards are unavailable ahead of the U’s trip to Music City. Without Milan Iloski, Cavan Sullivan, or Bruno Damiani, how will the Union navigate against a Nashville side that is unbeaten in seven and chasing history? Let’s break down the matchup.
Shield Secured, History Awaits: Nashville Look to Keep Rolling
Nashville grabbed their second title in club history over the weekend with a 2-0 victory over Montreal. This is the Coyotes’ first Supporters’ Shield, but head coach BJ Callahan says the job isn’t over for his players.
“We’re constantly reflecting, refining what we’re doing. It shows that body of work has occurred throughout the season. That’s what that Supporters’ Shield recognizes, the long-term season’s body of work… And we know that we’ve got more work to do.”
With three matches left, Nashville sit just five points away from breaking the MLS record for most points in a season. Inter Miami previously broke that record in 2024 with 74 points.
Most of the time, we start with the offense, but the Boys in Gold’s defense this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. They currently lead the league in fewest goals conceded in a 34-game season. A record currently held by the Philadelphia Union with 26 goals in 2022. Nashville have conceded 23 goals so far this season, with the next-closest club being Vancouver with 32 goals.
Nashville has 15 clean sheets this season, much to the delight of goalkeeper Brian Schwake. The 25-year-old American has 14 of those clean sheets and a 78.3% save percentage. Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi have been the center-back pairing in front of Schwake, holding the line and keeping Nashville as the league’s best defensive team.
On the attack, Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar have been terrorizing defenses all season. Surridge leads the team with 18 goals this season, and Mukhtar is close behind with 17. When these two click, few teams in the league stand a chance against this high-powered attack.
Pair that with the midfield play of Cristian Espinoza, who leads the team with 12 assists, and you have a winning combination. This Nashville team is the perfect package, and the points and table position speak for themselves.
Keys to Success
At home, facing a beat-up Union side, Nashville has a promising path. If they can avoid the hangover of winning their Supporters’ Shield over the weekend, they should have no problem grabbing all three points against a depleted Union attack.
The Union’s Attack Takes a Hit Ahead of Nashville Showdown
Two unconvincing results in a row have turned the tables on the Boys in Blue’s impressive 15-game unbeaten streak. The home match against second-place New England Revolution did nothing to settle doubts about how far this team can go without its stars.
Now, heading into Nashville, they’ve lost two more.
Milan Iloski picked up a knock against New England and will miss the midweek match. Ryan Richter said he’ll likely miss the match against Cincinnati over the coming weekend as well.
Iloski leads the team with 19 league goals this season. His absence will be felt, but Richter is confident that he will return before the postseason.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s something that’s a long-term thing, but he has a minor hamstring strain that he picked up at the end of the game.”
However, the absence of their leading scorer, along with their playmaker Cavan Sullivan missing his second consecutive game to injury, does not bode well for a side now facing top-of-the-table Nashville.
The Union attack emerged from the World Cup break in style. The U average 3.1 goals per game in their last 10 matches, and they’ve scored in 14 consecutive games.
So, where do the Boys in Blue go from here? Well, it won’t be Bruno Damiani. He’s also out on yellow-card accumulation in this match.
Damiani has 12 goals this season, but it is the way he is scoring them that is impressive. Damiani has scored 11 of his goals since the World Cup break.
That likely brings Augustin Anello and Malik Jakupović into the starting lineup, pending a formation change due to the lack of forwards. Ezekiel Alladoh will also receive minutes. These three players have a combined three goals this season.
Internally, the ball should run through Danley Jean-Jacques. The Union midfield has been a weakness for the side, with Lukic having an off year and limited depth among Indiana Vassilev, Quinn Sullivan, and Ben Bender. These players will have to step up to meet Nashville. Jesus Bueno also remains out with injury.
They’re beat up, backs against the wall, and still have a playoff spot to clinch. What could go wrong?
Keys to Success
The Union will be ultra-conservative tonight with nearly their entire forward corps out. I would expect a change in formation to accommodate this, playing for the draw and trying to catch Nashville out of shape on the counter. All in all, it could be a long night for a very short-staffed Boys in Blue.
You can catch the match at 8:30 PM on Apple TV+.
