Nashville Will Look for Fast Start Against Orlando City
The second round of games in the MLS regular-restart pits the road-warriors Nashville SC in Florida to face Orlando City SC. Having missed the MLS is Back Tournament with multiple positive COVID tests, Nashville is still one game behind the rest of the league despite playing twice in Dallas last week and in Atlanta Saturday. The game kicks off Wednesday night at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
This will be the first ever MLS meetings between Orlando City and Nashville SC and just Nashville’s sixth-ever league game. With the new regional setup to reduce travel for MLS sides, these teams will meet again on September 2 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Both teams are coming off road losses this weekend and in need of a bounce back.
Nashville SC Outlook: Find the Offense
Nashville took on Atlanta United Saturday night on the road and despite having 15 shots, they didn’t score in a 2-0 loss. Atlanta had the better of the possession and the better scoring chances as Nashville couldn’t get on the board. The expansion side are in 11th place in the 14-team Eastern Conference with four points but they have played the least amount of games.
Defender Walker Zimmerman scored the first goal in franchise history back in February in a 2-1 home loss to Atlanta United. After missing out on the MLS is Back Tournament, along with FC Dallas, the two teams met twice in four days in Texas last week. David Accam scored in Nashville’s 1-0 win on Wednesday before a 0-0 draw in the second contest.
Captain Dax McCarty has the only assist so far this season for Music City. Joe Willis, who started 27 games for Houston Dynamo last season, has 12 saves in five starts with five goals allowed and two clean sheets.
General Manager Mike Jacobs has been busy in the August transfer window with winger Alex Muyl acquired from New York Red Bulls to complement Accam and Randall Leal. Nashville also added goalie Brady Scott from FC Koln in Germany and extended USMNT center back Zimmerman.
Orlando City SC Outlook: Bounce Back
Orlando City took all the momentum they had from the MLS is Back Tournament runner up finish and threw it away with a 3-2 loss to the other expansion side Inter Miami FC. The Lions tied Miami 1-1 in the first half on a goal by rookie Daryl Dike and Nani scored late but Inter Miami picked up their first ever MLS win. Orlando City actually had over 60% of the possession and took more shots than Inter Miami but they didn’t have a second comeback in them.
The loss leaves Orlando City in sixth place in the East with eight points through six games. After six straight games of allowing one goal or less, goalie Pedro Gallese has allowed five goals in the last two games.
Nani has now scored two regular-season goals and he added three more in the tournament. His up top partner Christopher Mueller has four regular-season goals and he assisted on Nani’s goal Saturday night.
Orlando added Brazilian striker Matheus Aias from England’s Championship side Watford on Friday. Aias played the last two seasons on loan with CD Mirandes in La Liga 2 while scoring 23 goals in 74 games but he will have to quarantine after arriving in Orlando and won’t be available for Wednesday’s game.
Nashville SC at Orlando City SC Betting Odds By RealBookies Per Head Shop
Nashville SC to win: +305
Orlando City to win: -125
Draw: +260
Over/Under: 2.5 goals (O -128, U -103)
The offense for Orlando City stayed in gear Saturday night but their defense let them down. Nashville allowed two goals to Pity Martinez and pressed forward enough but didn’t get things together in the final third. The action should be up and down in this contest in Orlando but the Lions have the better finishers.
Head to our favorite pay per head bookie site at Street Bettings and take Orlando City to win (-125).
