Match Preview: Philadelphia Union Aim to Extend Perfect Start Against Defensive-Minded Nashville SC

Union look to keep their unbeaten streak alive as they face a resilient Nashville side.

(Credit: Philadelphia Union)

Chester — The Philadelphia Union (3-0-0, 9 pts) return home to Subaru Park to face off against Nashville SC (1-1-1, 4 pts) as they look to extend their three-game winning streak.

The Union are coming off a 2-0 win over the winless New England Revolution, with Tai Baribo scoring his league-leading sixth goal of the season and Jovan Lukić netting his first career Union goal. Andre Blake and the Union defense also secured their first clean sheet of the season while allowing their fewest shots against this year, conceding only two.

Meanwhile, Nashville SC is coming off its first win of the season, a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers at Geodis Park, with goals from Andy Nájar and Ahmed Qasem.

Like New England last week, Nashville has been one of the best defensive teams in MLS this season, keeping two clean sheets and conceding only two goals in three games. Nashville has also allowed the 10th-fewest shots on target (10) and the 13th-fewest total shots (32).

New Faces

When the Union faced Nashville last season on July 20, B.J. Callaghan wasn’t yet in charge, despite being announced as the club’s next head coach on July 3. He officially joined the team on July 22 and didn’t coach his first game until July 31 against Mazatlán F.C. in the Leagues Cup.

Callaghan has strong ties to the Philadelphia Union organization, having worked alongside former head coach Jim Curtin in the Union’s academy from 2012 to 2014. He was then promoted to the first-team staff on June 10, 2014, where he remained as an assistant coach through 2018.

In 14 games as Nashville’s head coach, Callaghan holds a 4-8-2 record across all competitions. However, it’s unfair to judge his win-loss record too harshly, as he is still in the process of shaping Nashville into his own team.

Nashville has made significant roster changes this season, bringing in 12 new players while parting ways with 14 others.

Notable acquisitions include:

• Ahmed Qasem (21, U22 Initiative, winger) – Joined from Swedish first-division side IF Elfsborg, where he made 89 appearances (46 starts), scoring 11 goals and providing 13 assists in 4,752 minutes.

• Gastón Brugman (32, midfielder) – Acquired from LA Galaxy in a trade, Brugman spent three seasons with the Galaxy, appearing in 73 matches (57 starts), scoring six goals, and assisting four in 5,043 minutes. He was also named the 2024 MLS Cup MVP for his performance in LA’s 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Meanwhile, Nashville has moved on from notable players such as Aníbal Godoy (option declined), Dru Yearwood (out of contract), Lukas MacNaughton (traded to D.C. United), Sean Davis (traded to LA Galaxy), Shaq Moore (traded to FC Dallas), and Randall Leal (waived).

Team Full of Positivity

The Union’s 3-0 start is the best in club history, though it isn’t the first time they’ve begun a season undefeated. In 2022, the Union went six weeks without a loss, opening with a draw before winning their next five matches. Last season, they remained unbeaten through the first seven weeks, posting a 3-0-4 record and standing as the last undefeated team in MLS.

This season, the team’s strong start has been fueled by a focused mentality and a business-like approach. As head coach Bradley Carnell said in his Friday press conference:

“There's growing hunger, growing appetite, and ambition. So yeah, this group's got a level head about them, a very business-mind-like attitude. It's very positive around the camp at the moment, and the boys are full of energy and full of fun right now. So yeah, winning helps do that. But regardless of the three points, I just think there's a general consensus around the camp here, around the organization, that we're moving in the right direction.”

With a focus on consistency and continuous improvement, the Union aim to build on this momentum.

“Three games is a small snapshot of what we can do. And now the challenge for us is to keep on challenging each other every single day, to kind of clean the slate every Monday and rinse and repeat,” Carnell added. “I haven't had any issues because it's great working with these guys. They're so focused, so dedicated, and work like real pros.”

Sustaining this mentality will be key for the Union as they look to turn their strong start into a season-long success and rebound from their missed playoff appearance last year.

Injury Updates

Markus Anderson continues to recover from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the entire season, while Ian Glavinovich is still nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last two matches. However, there is a possibility that Glavinovich could return soon.

“Ian's training out there with us at the moment, so he could be an option for the roster. We just have to see how much load he can handle without putting him at risk. So we'll just assess that tomorrow and make a decision,” Carnell said.

During the portion of Union training open to the media on Saturday, Glavinovich was seen participating in warm-up drills. He missed last week’s match against the New England Revolution entirely, but the week prior, he was available on the bench for the Union’s home opener against FC Cincinnati. Whether he’ll be included in the squad against Nashville remains to be seen.

Series History (MLS Play Only)

The Union and Nashville SC have faced off seven times in league play, with the Union holding a 4-1-2 record in the series. At Subaru Park, the Union have a 2-0-1 record, including a 3-0 victory last July, in which Dániel Gazdag scored a hat trick.

Gazdag’s first goal came in the 10th minute when he chipped goalkeeper Joe Willis. He doubled his tally in the 38th minute after Mikael Uhre played him in behind Nashville’s backline. Gazdag completed his hat trick in the 89th minute after Nashville attempted to play out from the back, with center-back Brent Kallman slipping after receiving a pass from Willis.

Three current Union players have scored against Nashville: Dániel Gazdag (6), Mikael Uhre and Indiana Vassilev (1). For Nashville, six current players have scored against Philadelphia Union: Teal Bunbury, Andy Nájar (2), Alex Muyl, Tyler Boyd, Sam Surridge and Walker Zimmerman (1).

Player Availability Report

Philadelphia Union

• Markus Anderson - Ankle (Out)

• Ian Glavinovich - Hamstring (Questionable)

Nashville SC

• Bryan Acosta - Thigh (Out)

• Tyler Boyd - Knee (Out)

• Maximus Ekk - Knee (Out)

Where to Watch

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as well as FOX and FOX Deportes, with kickoff set for 2:25 p.m. EST, March 16.

Video credit: Philadelphia Union