Nashville SC vs. FC Dallas | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 23
Nashville SC vs. FC Dallas
Nissan Stadium – Nashville
November 4 – 8:30 PM ET

TV: TSN4

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US

LOCAL TV: FOX Sports Southwest, MyTV30

In their fourth meeting this season, FC Dallas are hoping to score their first goal, and claim their first win against Nashville SC when the teams meet Wednesday night at Nissan Stadium.

Both teams have clinched a berth in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but there's more to play for in their penultimate match of the regular season with postseason positioning at stake. Seventh in the Eastern Conference at 1.38 points per game, Nashville SC (7W-6L-8D) have lost just once in their last 10 games and are coming off a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire FC, while FC Dallas (8W-5L-7D) are unbeaten in their last three with consecutive wins, including a Texas Derby triumph over the Houston Dynamo and are sixth in the West at 1.55 PPG.

Nashville celebrate a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas in the last meeting Oct. 20 in the Music City, with Randall Leal, Jhonder Cadiz and Daniel Rios scoring. In back-to-back games at Toyota Stadium in a span of five days, Nashville and FC Dallas drew 0-0 after Nashville SC celebrated their first victory, 1-0, on Aug. 17.

Nashville SC

Nashville SC continued their stingy defensive play Saturday, drawing the Fire 1-1 at Toyota Stadium. Gary Smith's side have conceded just six goals in their last 10 games and 19 on the season, second best in the league behind the Columbus Crew.

“Week on week, game on game, for a brand new franchise you want to keep taking steps forward. For every game that we're here and we win well, it's a small step forward and a boost in confidence," Gary Smith said after the game. "For every game that we play here and we have a difficult time, and we're running into very, very different teams and we're experiencing different styles of play every week as a group, they're gaining confidence from the fact that they are difficult to break down and when it needs some rolling up of sleeves, we can do that."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Ken Tribbett (D) - calf injury
- OUT: David Accam (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Dom Badji (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Abu Danladi (F) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

FC Dallas

Outside of that 3-0 defeat to Nashville, FC Dallas have also been difficult to break down, conceding just once in their last three games. They head back to Nashville on an emotional high following a 3-0 Texas Derby win over the Houston Dynamo that clinched their postseason berth and eliminated their rivals from playoff contention. Fafa Picault struck for a brace after Franco Jara opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

"It's been that kind of season, not too much time to reflect, and you need to be efficient in that reflection and move on and face the next step," Luchi Gonzalez said after the match. "They're still within reach of a top-four finish, which would allow them to host a home match. "Making the playoffs was the first and primary objective, and then the second one after that is, 'Can we earn a home playoff game?' Our sights are set on that now."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Paxton Pomykal (M) - hip injury
- OUT: Bryan Acosta (M) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Bressan (D), Thiago Santos (M)
International duty: None