Nashville SC chases MLS points record in Decision Day showdown

MATCHDAY PREVIEW presented by Kiesland

FC Cincinnati have already clinched their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

But Decision Day still has plenty to decide.

The Orange and Blue host the Supporters' Shield Champions, Nashville SC, on Saturday afternoon at TQL Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET) on Apple TV.

Nashville enters the match with 70 points from 37 games.

The MLS single-season points record is 71, set by the New England Revolution in 2021.

One point — a draw or a win — would give Nashville the record outright.

FC Cincinnati sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 51 points.

A win would guarantee FCC at least seventh place and could lift them as high as sixth.

A loss could drop Cincinnati to eighth or ninth, forcing them into the wildcard round.

“For me, we're trying to win a game to maintain a seven seed or jump to a six seed,” FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan said Thursday.

“That's pretty simple. That benefits us better than a play-in game. So, that's our motivation, and I don't think we need anything more than that.”

Noonan was asked about Nashville's pursuit of the points record.

“In the process, if that keeps them from getting a points record, so be it,” Noonan said.

“That's not my concern. But, they have something to play for, just like we do.”

Nashville has been one of the most dominant teams in MLS history this season.

The Boys in Gold won the Supporters' Shield — awarded to the team with the best regular-season record — for the first time in club history.

They have scored 67 goals this season, tied for third-most in the league.

Only Inter Miami (77) and Vancouver (72) have scored more.

FC Cincinnati has also scored 67 goals, tied with Nashville and Orlando for third.

Both teams feature elite attacking talent.

Nashville has two players with 17 or more goals: Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar.

Cincinnati has one: Evander, who has 17 goals and 15 assists.

Evander has eclipsed 30 goal involvements in three consecutive seasons since joining MLS in 2023.

Nashville's Cristian Espinoza leads the team in assists and is third in total goal involvements behind Surridge and Mukhtar.

Espinoza is one of two active players with 100 or more career MLS assists.

He joined Nashville this season as a free agent after six years with San Jose.

His crossing ability, corner-kick danger and chemistry with right back Andy Najar have been key to Nashville's attack.

Evander has been on a hot streak recently, with one goal and four assists in his last five games.

FC Cincinnati has improved defensively in recent weeks.

The team has earned two clean sheets in its last four matches.

Noonan credited the entire squad for the defensive turnaround.

“I think the organization, how we initiate our press, I've talked a lot about how it's not all on the back line or goalkeeper in all these moments where we concede goals,” Noonan explained.

“How do we initiate a press? How are we tough to play against? How do we make it clear where we can create these pressing moments?”

“Our players ahead of the back line are doing a much better job, in my mind, of being tougher to play against, getting the organization right and the close connections better to be more specific about how we're stepping to the ball and what we're trying to eliminate.”

The two teams met earlier this season on May 23 at Geodis Park in Nashville.

Nashville won that match 2-1.

Saturday's game is the regular-season finale for both clubs.

The MLS Cup Playoffs begin next week.

For Nashville, a draw or win secures the points record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

For FC Cincinnati, the stakes are about positioning — and avoiding the wildcard round.

The wildcard round is a single-elimination play-in game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds.

The winner advances to the first round, while the loser is eliminated.

Noonan was clear about his team's motivation.

“That benefits us better than a play-in game,” he said.

Saturday's match also carries historical weight.

If Nashville sets the points record, it will be the first time a team has broken the mark since the Revolution did it in 2021.

That Revolution team finished with 73 points in the old 34-game schedule.