Nashville SC

vs

00:30:00

Philadelphia Union

Match Preview: Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia Union - prediction, team news and lineup

Saturday, July 5 saw Nashville SC host Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union at Geodis Park—the Castle—with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. CT. Nashville, sitting 3rd in the conference, have been in fine home form, drawing confidence from recent results including a 2-1 win over Toronto and back-to-back draws with Orlando City and DC United. Philadelphia, atop the East, come off a high-scoring 3-2 victory against LA Galaxy and a draw with Inter Miami, riding momentum thanks to top scorer Tai Baribo (13 goals) and creative fulback Kai Wagner leading with four assists. With both teams averaging nearly 2 goals per game, this match promised an entertaining contest between an efficient defense and a prolific attack.

Head to Head

History favors Philadelphia — in nine previous meetings, the Union have claimed four wins to Nashville’s two, with three draws; aggregate goals stand at 11–7 in Philadelphia’s favor. Notably, Nashville surprised earlier this season with an impressive 3-1 away win in March, while Philadelphia returned the favor with a 3-0 victory last July — underscoring the variability and competitive balance in this fixture.

Noticias del equipo

In terms of availability, both squads entered the match with few concerns. Nashville’s coaching staff reported a clean bill of health with all key players available, bolstered by the form of striker Sam Surridge, who has netted 11 goals this campaign . Philadelphia, meanwhile, remained strong up front with Tai Baribo fully fit and leading the league’s scoring charts. No suspensions were noted, and with coaches opting for consistency, both managers looked likely to field their preferred XI with no midweek fatigue concerns.

Key Battle

The spotlight will fall on Philadelphia’s attack vs. Nashville’s defense. Nashville have been resolute at Geodis Park, conceding just over one goal per match, while Philadelphia’s firepower—led by Baribo and Wagner—poses a real threat. Should Surridge continue his clinical form and Nashville’s backline remain organized, the home side may challenge the Supporters’ Shield frontrunners. Both teams bring strong credentials to this showdown, with form, firepower, and fitness lining up for a compelling summer Saturday night under the lights in Nashville.