ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Top Handicapper 
Picks 
Nashville SC Thriving of Late, But Face First-Place Inter Miami
A midseason coaching change has paid instant dividends for Nashville SC, setting the stage for an exciting home match against first-place Inter Miami FC on Saturday night.
Nashville SC’s Recent Form
Coaching Change Impact
Since appointing Rumba Munthali to replace Gary Smith, Nashville (6-5-8, 26 points) has shown significant improvement, going 3-1-3 and rising to seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
Latest Success
Nashville’s latest victory came on June 22 with a 1-0 win over New York City FC. The decisive moment came in the 23rd minute when Sam Surridge’s cross found Tyler Boyd, who headed in his first goal of the season. Boyd also assisted on Surridge’s winning goal in their previous match against Toronto on June 19.
“I think Tyler from start to finish, since he’s gotten here, has been someone who affects the game positively,” Munthali said. “He’s somebody who’s dangerous and is very dynamic and hard to cover … the more he gets to play, he’ll become even more and more effective.”
Defensive Strength
Nashville’s recent success has been driven by strong defensive performances, conceding just four goals under Munthali with three clean sheets. In the win over New York City FC, goalkeeper Joe Willis didn’t have to make a single save.
Inter Miami’s Dominance
Current Standing
Inter Miami (12-3-5, 41 points) sits in first place in the Eastern Conference and leads MLS in scoring with 46 goals.
Recent Matches
Miami is coming off a 2-1 win against Columbus on June 19, with early goals from Ian Fray and Leonardo Campana giving them a two-goal lead in the first 21 minutes. Miami is 9-1-2 in its last 12 matches, with their only loss at home to Atlanta.
In a notable game on June 15, Miami secured a 2-1 win at Philadelphia, scoring the winning goal four minutes into stoppage time while down two men.
“It was a statement win,” forward Leo Afonso said, who scored the winning goal in Philadelphia.
Key Players
Nashville SC
- Tyler Boyd: Boyd has become an influential player, scoring his first goal of the season and assisting on crucial goals in recent matches.
- Joe Willis: The goalkeeper has been solid, contributing to Nashville’s defensive strength with multiple clean sheets.
Inter Miami
- Leo Afonso: Afonso has been a key player, scoring important goals, including the late winner against Philadelphia.
- Leonardo Campana: Campana continues to be a vital offensive player, contributing early goals and helping Miami maintain their top spot.
Previous Encounters
The teams have met 13 times, with Miami holding a slight edge with a 5-4-4 record. Miami won their last meeting 3-1 at home on April 20.
Bet Smarter with Proven Soccer Strategies! Access the best Soccer Picks Against The Spread and stay ahead of the competition.
Conclusion
While Nashville SC looks to keep up their recent momentum and hold onto their playoff spot, they are up against a strong opponent in Inter Miami, despite the fact that superstar Lionel Messi is not playing as he is representing Argentina in Copa America. This game is anticipated to be an exciting competition as both squads seek important points in the Eastern Conference.
