Callaghan refusing to put limitations on Nashville's ambition

BJ Callaghan says he is not putting limitations on what Nashville SC can achieve in MLS this season ahead of travelling to New York City FC.

Nashville are in a commanding position in the Eastern Conference, sitting top of the pile with 52 points, 10 clear of second-place Inter Miami.

They have won each of their last four matches – including a 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati last time out – and have lost just twice all season.

Nashville remain on course to try and break Miami's record-point season (74 in 2024), but Callaghan was hesitant to set any goals for his players.

"If I answer that question, that means I put a limitation on our team," he said when asked just how far Nashville can go.

"We're worried about turning the page every single day, getting better in areas that we need to. And when I say getting better, that's the things that we're really good at, we want to be elite at.

"And the things that we need to improve, we want to get to good and then to elite. We're not putting limitations on what we want to achieve."

NYCFC, meanwhile, are enduring a different run of form having failed to win any of their last five MLS games (D3 L2).

They dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC at the weekend, meaning they are now seventh in the East, with just a two-point cushion to Orlando City SC below them.

And head coach Pascal Jansen wants to see more focus from his side to hold onto their control in matches.

"Good first half [against Toronto], second half you get two good opportunities to get yourself on the scoreboard again, but throughout the game we were struggling down our left side, and we didn't control the moment when they scored," Jansen said.

"We didn't get the basics right in the moment, let down our guard, and they punished us. It's a tough one to concede, because even though we were struggling, we should've kept control."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City FC – Nicolas Fernandez Mercau

Nicolas Fernandez Mercau has been NYCFC's driving force in 2026 so far, netting 14 goals, including their opener against Toronto last time out.

He scored from his only shot in that match but had a team-high 12 final-third entries and 19 passes in the final third, as well as creating two chances.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar has been involved in 17 goals for Nashville this season (10 goals, seven assists), more than any of his team-mates.

He has a goal and an assist in each of his last two appearances and has scored four goals in his last four games in MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The last meeting between these sides ended in a 2-1 win for Nashville back in May just before the World Cup break, with Callaghan's side boasting a strong home record over NYCFC.

However, New York City have never lost at home in MLS to Nashville, winning each of their last three home games after drawing the first 0-0.

Nashville are on a strong run of form, though, having won each of their last four matches in MLS while scoring 12 goals in that run. In fact, they are on a five-game unbeaten streak in the league.

NYCFC, meanwhile, are on a slump in the league, having failed to win any of their last five (D3 L2), with all three draws ending 1-1. Six of their games this year have ended that scoreline, more than any other team.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City FC – 38.7%

Draw – 24.8%

Nashville SC – 36.5%