Charlotte FC at Nashville SC Preview: Predicted starting XI and player matchup to watch

By Rylee McKinney - @rylees_roster and Sean McGuffin - @SeanMCG704

Djibril Diani versus Nashville on Matchday 7 (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

Nashville SC and Charlotte FC will meet for the second time this season tonight. The Crown continues its string of road matches in Music City, with the added pressure of fatigue amidst their midweek schedule and U.S. Open Cup run. 

After their midweek match against Orlando City, Charlotte brought home a devastating 4-1 loss. Sitting in fifth place, these three points could inch Charlotte closer to the top of the table. Yet, Nashville still dominates the EC and shows no signs of slowing down despite additional games due to its advancement in the Concacaf Champions Cup. 

Charlotte recently faced Nashville in matchday seven, suffering an unfortunate 2-1 loss. A missed penalty from Idan Toklomati, compounded with goals from Nashville’s Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek, created a 2-0 lead for Nashville. But substitute Archie Goodwin drew a penalty in the 90th minute, bringing the final score to 2-1. Despite a difficult loss for Charlotte, the squad proved that they could knock Nashville off balance. 

Nashville’s performance so far this season is top-tier. With 19 points in the table, the Boys in Gold have made a statement for the EC. In their regular-season matches so far, Nashville has scored 17 goals, cashing in on an incredible start. 

Under head coach BJ Callaghan, Nashville has also taken great strides in the Concacaf Champions Cup. As the tournament approaches the Semi-finals, the Coyotes have defeated Inter Miami and Club America. Next Tuesday, they will face Tigres in the first leg of the semi-finals. 

What has carried Nashville through the density of tournament and regular-season matches is their all-star forward line. Striker Sam Surridge has earned seven goals so far this season and has the second-most goals in MLS right now behind FC Dallas’ Petar Musa. Supporting Surridge are attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar and right winger Cristian Espinoza. 

With a killer front line, Charlotte will obviously need to prepare ahead of Saturday’s matchup. Their midweek match against Orlando and their upcoming U.S. Open Cup match against Atlanta will test Charlotte's endurance and depth. 

Despite Charlotte’s attempts at solidifying their back line post Adilson Malanda’s departure, they seem to have encountered another blip. Last Saturday against NYCFC, center back Tim Ream announced feeling a slight discomfort. Later, Dean Smith confirmed Tim Ream suffered a groin injury. 

With Ream’s absence, Andrew Privett will most likely start. A wobbly back line might be the most dangerous aspect heading into Saturday’s match with Nashville’s natural affinity for scoring. 

Charlotte's rotations will not be limited to the defensive line. In the midfield, depth has been added to the typical triangle through the addition of Luca de la Torre. So far, Brandt Bronico appears to have taken a back seat, starting in only three of the last seven matches. His competition, Djibril Diani, has earned four starts. This internal duel will pit both players against each other for Saturday’s start. 

This week’s matchup highlights the strengths of Nashville’s attacking unit and Charlotte’s midfield depth: Hany Mukhtar versus Brandt Bronico/Djibril Diani. 

Hany Mukhtar - NSH - Attacking Midfielder

The German midfielder has been more than just a jersey-selling name for Nashville over the years. Signing on back in 2020, Mukhtar has helped bring Nashville into their golden age.

Mukhtar’s breakout season proved to be a slow one as Mukhtar earned five goals and three assists in 18 matches. However, in his second season, Mukhtar lit up the shot map, tallying 19 goals and 10 assists in 33 matches. 

By 2022, Mukhtar had broken his previous scoring record with 23 goals. Last season, he continued his dominant streak with 17 goals and 8 assists during regular-season play. His intense presence on the field even earned him the 2022 MLS Golden Boot and the fastest hat trick in MLS history during his 2021 season. 

Mukhtar’s accomplishments eventually earned him an extended contract in 2024 through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. 

Needless to say, Mukhtar is a vital component of Nashville’s core. His elite goal-scoring and creative abilities are immense to their success. Additionally, his work rate primarily focuses on offensive intensity and attacking transitions, making him a focal point in the midfield. 

With an xG of 2.96 and an xGOT of 3.22, Mukhtar is not to be taken lightly. Charlotte’s midfield will need to keep tight on Mukhtar, stopping transitional plays from the start. 

Brandt Bronico/Djibril Diani - CLTFC - Midfield

The left pivot of Charlotte’s midfield triangle has been home to some internal competition. Last season, Brandt Bronico started in 31 out of the 34 regular-season matches he appeared in. But this season feels different. What was once a guaranteed spot is now a test for Bronico. 

Each match seems to be a toss-up between Bronico and Djibril Diani, with an occasional spot start from de la Torre. In 2025, Diani started in 17 of his 28 MLS regular-season appearances, becoming a reliable substitute for Bronico and a player who found his way into the 11 consistently after Pep Biel's injury. This year, however, Diani seems to be on equal footing with Bronico, starting in four of his eight regular-season appearances. 

Side by side, it makes sense to compare Bronico and Diani based on their performances so far this season. Although neither midfielder has a goal or an assist to record just yet, Diani is statistically leading the way in defensive contributions. 

Diani currently has an xG of .21 and an xA of .1 compared to Bronico’s .02 xG and .85 xA. But the greatest difference between the two midfielders' abilities lies in their ability to create transitions. Defensively, Diani has made 5.96 defensive contributions per 90 compared to Bronico’s 5.73. Most importantly, Diani makes 3.31 interceptions per 90, unlike Bronico’s 2.18 per 90. Diani’s lead in defensive contributions illustrates his overall defensive acumen.

Diani's defensive mindset complements an attacking-minded Pep Biel and can allow Ashley Westwood the opportunity to get forward. In a sense, Diani lays the defensive foundations for attacks. 

While Diani offers versatility as a left-footed player, Bronico acts as more of a hybrid midfielder. His high-energy play allows him to cover significant ground in each match, demonstrating his elite endurance. This may be a helpful factor against a player like Mukhtar, who will need to be closely monitored for the entire 90 minutes. 

With Luca de la Torre earning the start and majority of play during Wednesday’s midweek match against Orlando, Dean will likely start Bronico or Diani against Nashville. Both players’ experience as multi-season players for Charlotte will most likely be the best move against an EC power house like Nashville. 

Summary

Nashville enters Saturday’s match as Eastern Conference leaders with a potent offense led by Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. They already have a 2-1 victory over Charlotte and will welcome the Carolina side that recently suffered a 4-1 loss over a last-place team. 

Despite both teams having heavy schedules, Nashville remains dominant. On the flip side, Charlotte has shown spottier form.

Charlotte’s tactical approach against Nashville hinges on this selection between Diani’s defensive disruption and Bronico’s high-energy work rate to neutralize Mukhtar. 

While Diani excels in breaking up play in the final third, Bronico offers relentless endurance to shadow Mukhtar’s offensive abilities for the full 90 minutes. The answer to strong-arming Mukhtar might just be Smith utilizing both Bronico and Diani, substituting at a critical moment to help diffuse the German goalscorer. 

Charlotte FC's Predicted Starting XI

Defensive Unit

Kristijan Kahlina will be back in goal, looking for a chance to bounce back after conceding four goals to Orlando City. Kahlina remains Charlotte’s best option in goal against Nashville. Tim Ream remains unavailable due to injury; once again, Andrew Privett will take his spot on the defensive line. Harry Toffolo and Nathan Byrne will be alongside him, as well as Morrison Agyemang, freshly off his first MLS goal. 

Tyler Miller, David Schnegg, Jack Neeley, and Henry Kessler are possible defensive subs against Nashville. Kessler is questionable, but it was reported that he might be able to travel.

Midfield 

Pep Biel and Ashley Westwood continue to be cemented into the starting midfield. The big question in the middle is between Brandt Bronico and Luca De La Torre. Dean Smith chose de la Torre to start against Orlando, before subbing in Bronico in the 73rd. In a game against a top side in the MLS, Smith may choose the team veteran Bronico, whose experience in the midfield with Biel and Westwood could be crucial in moving the ball through the midfield. 

If Bronico starts, de la Torre will be an available sub, alongside Djibril Diani.

Forward line  

Wilfried Zaha has been listed as questionable for this weekend after a reported lower-body injury. It’s expected that Zaha will still start against Nashville, but if he is unavailable, Liel Abada or Kerwin Vargas would take the starting spot. Rodolfo Aloko has taken the right-wing position since being called up, but after the 4-1 loss its possible Smith could go back to starting Vargas there as well. Aloko was subbed out for Vargas in the 73rd against Nashville and recorded a shot on goal during his time on the pitch. Idan Toklomati was unable to record a single shot on goal in 73 minutes against Orlando City. Archie Goodwin has been playing well as a sub and could be given a start if Dean Smith sees the move making the right impact. 

If a shakeup is made to the starting forward line, Rodolfo Aloko, Idan Toklomati, Tyger Smalls, and Liel Abada will be available as substitutes.

Predicted Starting XI

Stats from TransferMarkt & FotMob