Nashville SC v Houston Dynamo: Brugman determined to learn from back-to-back road defeats

Nashville SC midfielder Gaston Brugman is determined to learn from the team's recent losses on the road as they look to bounce back against the Houston Dynamo.

Away defeats to Orlando City and FC Cincinnati followed a loss at home to Atlanta United, leaving Nashville seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Their most recent loss at Orlando was particularly cruel, conceding a 95th-minute winner after coming back from 2-0 down to draw level, but they did qualify for the US Open Cup final four days before that.

Brugman is eager to help Nashville return to winning ways, and he believes their home affair against Houston is the perfect time to do so.

“This type of game is good. In the past, I’ve played in big games with a good atmosphere, and it’s better,” said Brugman.

“The fans give their best performance every game, and we know that. We are really happy for them.

“We are in a good place to clinch the playoffs. The most important thing is that we need to learn from the last two away games.

“It’s good that it’s happened now because it’s important to learn from that. We believe in this team.

“I think we have grown a lot this year and we will continue to grow, [so] I’m happy for that."

Houston, meanwhile, are 10th in the Western Conference, one point behind FC Dallas in the play-in places, after they beat the Portland Timbers 1-0 last time out.

It was the Dynamo’s second win in 10 MLS games (D4, L4), and their first clean sheet since the end of June.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar scored his 15th goal of the season last weekend, making this his fourth MLS regular season with at least 15 goals.

Mukhtar is the fifth player in MLS history with at least four such seasons, joining Bradley Wright-Phillips (five), Chris Wondolowski (five), Robbie Keane (four) and Taylor Twellman (four).  

Houston Dynamo – Jack McGlynn

McGlynn provided the assist on Houston’s lone goal against Portland, recording his eighth assist of the campaign.

He is the first player since Darwin Quintero in 2020 to record at least six goals and eight assists in a single season for the Dynamo.

MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN

Nashville and Houston meet for the first time since 2022, when the latter won both meetings between them.

Nashville have only lost three straight matches against two previous opponents (Inter Miami and Orlando).

Nashville, however, have lost six of their last seven MLS matches (W1) after having just five defeats in their first 24 MLS games this season. Nashville’s three points since July 25 are tied for the fewest in MLS (also Sporting Kansas City).

Houston scored their MLS-leading 11th headed goal of 2025 on Saturday. It’s the Dynamo’s most headed goals in a single regular season since scoring 12 in 2017.

In their last six league matches, Nashville have won one and lost five. Houston, meanwhile, have won two, drawn two and lost two in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville – 54.7%

Draw – 23.3%

Houston Dynamo – 22.0%