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Match Preview: Southern showdown as Atlanta United travels to Nashville for MLS Rivalry Week

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First Touches

Match Details

  • Date: Saturday, May 18
  • Kickoff time: 1:45 p.m. ET (12:45 p.m. CT)
  • Location: GEODIS Park
  • Celebrating: 2024 Rivalry Week in MLS

How to watch, stream, and listen to Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United

  • TV: Fans will be able to catch the match on Fox, as well as on free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
  • Listen: Local radio 92.9 The Game (English) and La Mejor (Spanish)
  • Live Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV app or visit https://tv.apple.com/.
  • Follow along: Follow the match with real-time stats and live play-by-play on our Matchday Hub page.

Recent Form

Atlanta United will look to right the ship against Nashville as they fight through this tough stretch of play, now winless in their last seven MLS matches. They are coming off a 1-0 loss against Eastern Conference opponent FC Cincinnati. The sole win the 5-Stripes have acquired since late March came against USL League One team Charlotte Independence to move onto to the . Nashville SC has gone through struggles of their own so far this season. They have two wins in their last five matches, bringing their total record on the season to 3-4-5.

Series History and Last Meeting

The meetings between the two clubs have been exciting affairs, only fueling the rivalry more. Atlanta has a record of 3-4-3 (W-L-D) against Nashville. The most notable win for the 5-Stripes was in August of 2023 when Atlanta handed Nashville SC their worst loss in club history with a dominant 4-0 victory. Current Atlanta United midfielder Dax McCarty was acquired during the off season from Nashville SC. As a player that was with Nashville since their inaugural year, if anyone knows about the storied history between the two clubs, it would be him.

“When describing rivalries, the thing that sticks out to me the most is proximity,” said McCarty on The History of Atlanta Soccer Podcast. “So, when you are coming into the league and you are an expansion team, I guess whoever you are closest to in proximity, there is always that natural beef between the fans – then that parlays into what happens on the field. You can’t fake that stuff.”

Players to watch

Dax McCarty (Atlanta United) – On Wednesday against FC Cincinnati, McCarty made his third start for Atlanta United this season, second in MLS play. As an MLS veteran with over 500 matches under his belt, he brings a calm reasurance to Atlanta's midfield.

“He brings experience,” said Pineda about McCarty. “But the massive thing is the leadership. I think he is a true, true leader on the team. He has been amazing. He is willing to do whatever he needs to do for the good of the team. So, then he has the belief of the players around him. At the same time, I think he is a great footballer.”

Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) – Only a week removed from a game winning hat trick against CF Montreal, Sam Surriage leads Nashville in scoring. He became only the second player in club history to score a hat trick. He has five goals in total on the season so far.

Nashville SC
Atlanta United 
Head coach 
Rumba Munthali (interim)
Gonzalo Pineda 
MLS record (W-L-D)
3-4-5
3-6-3
Eastern Conference table points
14
12
Kit colors
615 Kit: Gold, dark blue 
17's Kit: red, black, gold
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