Nashville SC's high-flying attack takes aim at porous D.C. United

Surging Nashville SC and struggling D.C. United will get to know each other well, as they'll meet twice in a span of 12 days.

First up is an MLS match Saturday as Nashville (10-4-5, 35 points) travels to Washington to face D.C. (4-9-6, 18 points). Part 2 comes on July 9, when Nashville hosts D.C. in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.

Saturday's meeting finds the teams going in opposite directions. While Nashville has played a franchise-record 12 straight all-competition matches without a loss, D.C. has won just one of its last eight MLS contests.

Nashville shouldn't get too comfortable, however. D.C. has risen against some of the league's toughest opponents.

Its last win came on May 31 at formidable FC Cincinnati, 2-1. In addition, when Nashville hosted D.C. on May 17, the teams played to a scoreless draw.

Another factor that could work in the hosts' favor is that it is well-rested, having last played on June 14, a 2-0 loss at Real Salt Lake.

Meanwhile, Nashville is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory Wednesday at the New England Revolution.

Sam Surridge tallied a hat trick to take over the league lead in goals with 15 and provide more evidence that he deserved a spot on the MLS All-Star team roster.

"We don't really get into that," Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said of Surridge's snub. "I'm just happy he keeps scoring."

Surridge, who has scored nine goals in his last five matches, combines with 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar (eight goals, eight assists) to propel a potent attack.

Meanwhile, D.C. has surrendered an Eastern Conference high of 38 goals as its back line has been riddled by injuries.

Also sidelined has been top scorer Christian Benteke (six goals). Since he suffered an ankle injury on May 14, D.C. has scored just four goals in its last seven MLS matches.

"This group is not gonna back down from this challenge," D.C. coach Troy Lesesne said. "We're gonna continue to face it head on and through good times and through difficult times we're gonna stick together and keep fighting."

--Field Level Media