Nashville SC v Philadelphia Union: Callaghan relishing home comforts after road run

Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan is relishing the opportunity of welcoming Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union to GEODIS Park this weekend. 

Nashville return to Tennessee after a three-game stretch away from home, which saw them win all three of those matches, concluding with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United. 

But Callaghan's team have failed to win on home turf since May 14 with a triumph over the New York Red Bulls, drawing both of their home fixtures since. 

And with just two points separating Nashville from the leaders in the division, Callaghan said his players were ready for the challenge that the Union will undoubtedly provide. 

"We're really excited to be back at home, I can tell you that," Callaghan said. "The month of June was a good month for us in terms of results and performances, but it was a bit of a stop and start with three games on the road. 

"We came back to training this week with a good mentality and an understanding we have a home game and an opportunity to start a new month here and begin to chip away. 

"And there is no better thing to come up against than the top of the table, Philadelphia Union, who are having a great season. They are a really well-coached team that can hurt you in a lot of ways. We know it's going to be a battle, but it's a challenge we're up for."

For Philadelphia, meanwhile, they lost 1-0 to the Columbus Crew last time out, suffering just their fourth loss of a fine season under head coach Bradley Carnell. 

The Union had gone 11 league games unbeaten until last week, but remain at the summit of the Western Conference, and face a side enjoying a sensational streak of their own. 

Nashville are also unbeaten in their last 11 MLS fixtures, and while Carnell was complimentary of the head coach in the opposite dugout, he was confident his team could end their opponents incredible run. 

"Every streak comes to an end. We found that out last weekend," Carnell said. "They are in great shape, great form, a great squad, and it is fun watching them. 

"It's a signature that we use, very similar styles, but we just pack it in a similar shape and a similar form. But it's fun to watch and to see it succeed as well. For B.J. and what he's trying to do and what he believes in, it's good to see the justification that it works. 

"I love watching them, and I am one of his biggest fans. There's a separation now, and we know we have a game to play against a really good opponent. What I like is that matchday four is not matchday 21, and there is a big change between them. 

"I feel like we have got better in many respects and are still being true to who we are and trying to take more shots than the opponent or concede less than the opponent. We have got that balance right of what we're trying to do at the moment."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

Surridge is a man in form, with his goal against D.C. last time out taking his tally to 16 this season from 20 appearances in the MLS. 

His strike against Troy Lesesne's side also saw him find the back of the net for a sixth consecutive league match. That is the longest streak in MLS this season and in club history, surpassing Hany Mukhtar's run of five games in 2022.

Philadelphia Union – Andre Blake

Last Sunday, Blake appeared in his 257th career regular-season match, moving into a tie for most games played in Union history with Alejandro Bedoya.

Among MLS goalkeepers, he ranks fifth for most regular-season games with a single team, three behind fourth-place Tim Melia's 260 with Sporting Kansas City.

The 34-year-old has conceded just 11 times from his 11 league outings this year, while also keeping four clean sheets, and he will be tested against Nashville's in-form attack. 

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The Union are unbeaten in their last three regular-season road matches against Nashville (W2 D1). That is tied for the longest road unbeaten streak ever in away games against the Coyotes by any MLS team (across all competitions).  

Philadelphia have also conceded just eight goals in their first 10 regular-season road games. It is the 10th time in MLS history, and the first time since the Seattle Sounders in 2021, a team has conceded eight goals or fewer in their first 10 away matches of a season.

Nashville, meanwhile, picked up their 11th win of the 2025 season last time out. It's the most wins for the team through their first 20 games of an MLS season, besting the 10 victories in their first 20 matches of 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC – 39.4%

Draw – 26.6%

Philadelphia Union – 34.1%