D.c. United D.c. vs Nashville Sc Nas Picks and Predictions July 13th 2024

D.C. United, Amid 11-Match Winless Stretch, Face Nashville SC

Match Overview

D.C. United and Nashville SC will both hope to rebound from lopsided defeats when they meet on Saturday night in the nation’s capital. D.C. United (4-11-8, 20 points) are currently enduring a 11-match winless streak, with a 0-8-3 slide that has seen them plummet from the top portion of the Eastern Conference to the lower part of the standings. Nashville SC (6-8-8, 26 points) also seek redemption after a tough loss, planning to solidify their position in the season finisher race.

D.C. United’s Struggles

D.C. United’s recent structure has been abysmal, highlighted by their worst performance of the season last Saturday, a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Orlando City. The group was already following by three goals before Lucas Bartlett’s ejection just before halftime.

“What’s more important to me beyond the result is we display ourselves in a much better way than what we did against Orlando,” D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne said. “And what I’ve seen from training this week is a group that’s reset in a good way and we’re ready to go again.”

Christian Benteke remains a bright spot, tied for second in MLS with 14 goals. However, he has only scored three of those during the team’s current slump. No other player on D.C. United has more than two goals this season.

Nashville SC’s Recent Challenges

Nashville SC suffered a 4-1 defeat at Portland last Saturday, extending their losing streak to three matches. Similar to D.C. United, Nashville experienced a disastrous first half, conceding four goals and seeing Brian Anunga dismissed in the 35th minute. In any case, Nashville managed to salvage some pride with a second-half objective from Sam Surridge, who leads the group with eight goals.

Despite the loss, Nashville remains in eighth place in the East. Assuming the season ended today, they would host the Eastern Conference wild-card match.

“Losing 1-0, losing 4-0, obviously it feels different, but ultimately it’s the same amount of points lost,” Nashville midfielder Alex Muyl said. “I believe that results were friendly to us around the league. So definitely, I believe that we just need to put that behind us and push ahead.”

Coaching Dynamics

Former U.S. men’s national team assistant B.J. Callaghan was named as the next full-time Nashville SC coach earlier this month. However, he won’t take charge until later in July. The U.S. was eliminated from the 2024 Copa America with its group stage defeat to Uruguay on July 1.

Key Players to Watch

D.C. United

• Christian Benteke: With 14 goals this season, Benteke’s scoring ability will be crucial if D.C. United is to end their winless streak.
• Lucas Bartlett: His performance will be under scrutiny after his ejection in the last match. His discipline and composure will be vital.

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Nashville SC

• Sam Surridge: Leading the team with eight goals, Surridge will be key in breaking down D.C. United’s defense.
• Alex Muyl: As a midfielder, Muyl’s ability to control the game’s tempo and provide crucial passes will be important.

Historical Context and Significance

The two teams are desperate to end their respective skids and pick up speed. For D.C. United, a success could check a significant turnaround in what has been a dismal run. Nashville, then again, will expect to consolidate their season finisher position and bounce back from recent disappointments.

Conclusion

As D.C. United seeks to end their 11-match winless streak and Nashville SC aims to recover structure, Saturday’s match promises to be a critical encounter for the two teams. With vital participants like Christian Benteke and Sam Surridge in the spotlight, fans can expect a competitive and high-stakes match. The outcome will have significant implications for the two teams’ standings and confidence as the season progresses.