Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 11
Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United
Nissan Stadium – Nashville
September 12 – 8:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: FOX Sports South, MyTV30

After two losses this season, Nashville SC are hoping to pick up their first win over Atlanta United when the Southeast foes square off in the Music City Saturday night.

Nashville SC (2W-4L-3D) are coming off consecutive draws against Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF, extending an unbeaten streak to three games. Atlanta (3W-5L-2D) got off to another slow start, chased the game and lost at Inter Miami 2-1 on Wednesday night.

The Five Stripes have won both of the previous meetings, ruining Nashville SC's historic opening MLS match with a 2-1 victory at Nissan Stadium and celebrating a 2-0 home triumph August 22.

Nashville SC

After sharing the points with Inter Miami CF in a goalless draw, Nashville SC announced some attacking help is on the way. The club signed forward Jhonder Cadiz from SL Benfica on loan with an option to buy, the club announced Wednesday. Cadiz will be added to the roster as a Designated Player.

“Jhonder has been an outstanding striker at the highest of levels in both European and South American competitions, and we think his game is tailor-made for Major League Soccer,” Nashville GM Mike Jacobs said in a statement. “The combination of his athleticism and clinical ability around the box made him heavily sought after. We feel fortunate to be able to add him to our club.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Jimmy Medranda (D) - hip injury
- OUT: Ken Tribbett (D) - calf injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Randall Leal (M) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Daniel Lovitz (D)
International duty: None

Atlanta United

The winless streak, and the frustrations, continue to mount for Atlanta United, which has now gone four matches without a win following a 2-1 loss in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday night. The first of Lewis Morgan's two goals forced the Five Stripes to try and come from behind again — a recurring theme during this stretch. Eric Remedi did equalize, only to have Morgan score again five minutes later.

A bizarre penalty kick sequence saw Luis Robles twice deny Ezequiel Barco, though interim coach Stephen Glass couldn't understand why defender Nicolas Figal wasn't sent off for his challenge on Jon Gallagher that resulted in the point to the spot.

"I asked the referee quite calmly, but he explained that it was not an elbow, he didn't feel there was any aggression," he said. "But I've watched it. I saw it at the time, it's clear as day, and I've seen it on video. He steps across and uses his forearm to smash our player in the face. There's no country on the planet that's not a red card."