The Philadelphia Union are flying high at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 100% record, but coach Bradley Carnell is wary of the threat they will face against Nashville SC.

Carnell has made an excellent start as Union coach, with last week's 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution maintaining their perfect record in 2025 – only matched by the Vancouver Whitecaps across MLS.

But against BJ Callaghan's Nashville and their talismanic midfielder Hany Mukhtar, Carnell feels his team will face a difficult test.

"They have really good breakaway players, and they've been getting better with every game," the Union coach said.

"I've been following their team for quite a while now, and their new acquisitions have really hit the ground running, and they're a real threat to be to be reckoned with.

"I just think them in transitional space is really dangerous. When Muhktar gets on the ball and he's able to turn and face you and challenge you, running at your back line, he has the ability to go on a dribble and find the final pass."

After Sunday's match, Philadelphia will lose several players due to international duty, but Carnell feels his team are well-placed to cope with those absences.

"The assessment started already through preseason, and then we got a starting group out there. But that's not to say that the other group isn't ready," he said.

"I do feel that we're in a good space here with the guys that do leave, but then we're also in a great space with players who will step up to the plate.

"I think there's growing hunger, growing appetite, and ambition. This group's got a level head about them, a very business-like attitude. 

"It's very positive around the camp at the moment, and the boys are full of energy and full of fun right now. Winning helps to do that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Daniel Gazdag

Gazdag has scored seven goals in eight career matches against Nashville (including playoffs), including a hat-trick in their last meeting last July, his most against any opponent. 

Those seven goals are the most any player has scored against Nashville in MLS play (regular season and playoffs).

Nashville SC – Andy Najar 

Najar attempted four shots, including scoring the opening goal, in Nashville's 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers last time out. 

It was the 10th time in his MLS career that Najar had attempted at least four shots in a match, but the first since October 2011, also against the Timbers (five shots).

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Nashville won their first meeting with Philadelphia 1-0 in July 2021. 

Since then, the Union are unbeaten in seven meetings between the sides (W4 D3, including the playoffs) including winning both meetings last season.

Philadelphia have won each of their first three matches of the season by a margin of more than one goal, so they should approach this match with confidence.

They are just the fourth team in MLS history to win each of their first three matches of a season by more than one goal, joining the Seattle Sounders in 2019 and 2009 and the Chicago Fire in 1999.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 61.6%

Nashville SC – 18.1%

Draw – 20.2%