Nashville SC vs. DC United Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/15/21
DC United and Nashville SC are both currently in the playoff picture, but a loss from either team could out them on the fringe. It has been an excellent stretch of form for DC United, which has not dropped a contest since July 17. Nashville is winless its last three times out and is coming off a 2-1 loss at Miami.
DC United has not lost in nearly a month
DC United has been playing excellent soccer over the last few months. It has not lost since July 17, where Philadelphia came out on top in a 2-1 final. Since then, DC has played to two draws and picked up three wins. It has won its last two matches, including a 4-2 win at reigning MLS champs Columbus. Its most recent contest resulted in a 2-1 victory over Montreal last Sunday. Montreal got on the board first with a goal 16 minutes in, but DC used goals in the 40th and 54th minute to take all three points.
Andy Najar scored the goal at the end of the first half and Ola Kamara hit a bending shot from just outside the box to net the winner. Kamara is currently second in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals. DC United fired eight shots on target in the win. It was outside of the playoff picture one month ago, but it has risen to sixth place in the Eastern Conference table. It is one point behind Nashville and three points clear of Columbus. The Black-and-Red are unbeaten in their last three road matches and have scored six goals during that span. Three of their next four matches come against teams currently in the playoff picture.
Nashville finally loses one
Nashville had gone nine matches without a defeat prior to losing its last time out. The second-newest team in the league has been able to get results all year long, but last week’s match was not their best showing. Nashville had held New England, the highest-scoring team in the MLS, scoreless for just the second time this year in its previous outing. It was unable to build on that contest, allowing the second-lowest team in the MLS (Miami) to put nine shots on target. The Black-and-Gold have the fewest losses of any team in the league, but they also have the most draws.
Nashville took the lead against Miami when C.J. Sapong scored three minutes after halftime. However, Miami leveled the score 12 minutes later and then netted the game-winner in extra time. Coach Gary Smith generally plays with a back three behind five midfielders, limiting dangerous counterattacks all season. The club is still without Walker Zimmerman due to a right hamstring issue. Alistair Johnston is listed as questionable with a right ankle injury. Joe Willis saved a career-high seven shots in the 2-1 loss to Miami. Anibal Godoy started for the first time since June 26 after recovering from an injury he suffered at the Gold Cup.
Pick: (Draw +250)
It has been a statistical improbability, but the amount of draws that Nashville has played to has to be accounted for in this prediction. The club does not lose many matches, dropping just two all season. However, it has played to 11 draws. DC United has been hot of late, but this is going to be a tough match to take all three points. The draw is offered at an appealing price tag of +250, especially with how both teams have been playing. It is an important match for the Eastern Conference standings, which makes me think both teams would be ok leaving with a point.
Total (Under 2.5)
Nashville tends to ramp up the defensive effort against teams that are in the top portion of the MLS. It held the highest-scoring team in the league scoreless last week and will be expecting to bounce back after allowing two goals in its last match. Its goalie is coming off a career-best performance, so he should be confident against a DC United team that can tend to be quiet on the attack. Oddsmakers have made this the lowest total of the week, which makes sense given the circumstances. A scoreless draw would not surprise me in the slightest.