Red Bulls and Nashville SC Look to End Scoring Droughts in Key Early-Season Clash

The New York Red Bulls will celebrate last season’s unexpected run to the MLS Cup final on Saturday night, hoping the energy from their home crowd fuels a strong offensive showing against Nashville SC. Both teams enter the matchup still searching for their first goals of the season after scoreless performances in their openers.

Red Bulls Return Home with Something to Prove

Saturday’s match marks the Red Bulls’ first game at Red Bull Arena since November 3, when they played to a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew before advancing on penalties in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their thrilling postseason run saw them defeat Orlando City in the conference final before falling 2-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup final.

Now, as they return home, they will look to put their disappointing 1-0 season-opening loss to FC Cincinnati behind them. Despite 15 shot attempts, only three were on target, highlighting their struggles in the final third.

Head coach Sandro Schwarz remained optimistic despite the result.

“We had our moments,” Schwarz said. “We were very active. We had good situations with the ball. We had our chances to score. We are disappointed about the result. In looking at the performance, I’m satisfied with the performance, upset about the result.”

The Red Bulls’ inability to finish chances was a recurring issue last season. In games where they attempted 15 or more shots, they had just two wins, four losses, and 10 draws. With a new season underway, they’ll need to be more clinical if they want to secure their first points of 2024.

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Nashville SC Adjusting to a New Look

Nashville SC also struggled in front of goal in their season-opening 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution. While they managed 13 total shots, 11 came from star attackers Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, and Mukhtar had a goal overturned due to an offside call.

This is a team undergoing significant change, with 12 new players joining the roster after a 2023 season in which they scored just 38 goals, the second-fewest in MLS. They’re still searching for offensive chemistry, and head coach B.J. Callaghan acknowledged that it will take time for the team to develop its identity.

“It’s going to take time,” Callaghan said. “It’s always going to be a step-by-step process. I think what we saw was that the team had a committed attitude to doing what we wanted to do, and there were some good ideas.”

Further complicating things for Nashville, several key players remain unavailable due to injuries, including Jacob Shaffelburg, Gaston Brugman, Patrick Yazbek, and Bryan Acosta. Their absences will put even more pressure on Mukhtar and Surridge to deliver against a Red Bulls defense that is traditionally strong at home.

Key Factors to Watch

1. Can the Red Bulls Convert Their Chances?
   New York had plenty of looks against FC Cincinnati but failed to capitalize. If they want to avoid another frustrating night, they’ll need to be more efficient in front of goal.
2. Nashville’s Attacking Chemistry
   With so many new players, Nashville is still figuring out how to build a cohesive attack. Mukhtar and Surridge were dangerous in their opener, but will they have enough support?
3. Defensive Strength for Both Sides
   Neither team allowed multiple goals in their opener, and defense may dictate the pace of the game. A low-scoring battle seems likely unless one side finds a spark offensively.
4. Impact of the Home Crowd
   The Red Bulls will be honored for their MLS Cup final appearance, and the energy in the stadium could give them an early boost. Nashville will need to withstand the early pressure.
5. Missing Pieces for Nashville
   With multiple key players still sidelined, Nashville’s depth will be tested. Can their midfield hold up against the Red Bulls’ high press?

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Final Thoughts

Both teams will be eager to break their scoring droughts and get their first win of the season. The Red Bulls have the advantage of playing at home, but they’ll need to be sharper in the final third. Nashville, despite their injuries, has a proven game-changer in Mukhtar, who will be looking to make an impact.

Will the Red Bulls finally convert their chances, or will Nashville find a way to spoil their home opener? Saturday’s match will provide early-season answers for both clubs.