DC United vs Nashville SC preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Audi Field Sat, 1 Aug - 11:30 PM
Major League Soccer
DC UnitedDCU
2 – 2
Nashville SCNSH
Full Time Sat, 1 Aug 11:30 PM
Regular Season
Silvan Hefti - 56'
Tai Baribo - 77'
Goal
|
Goal
Sam Surridge - 32' (P)

CONTEXT

DC United hosted Nashville SC in a match that concluded with a 2-2 draw. Nashville SC took a commanding lead by halftime with goals that put them ahead 2-0. DC United mounted a strong response in the second half to equalize the score. Nashville SC controlled possession at 61 percent while DC United held 39 percent. The expected goals were closely matched with DC United at 1.75 and Nashville SC at 1.62. No red cards were shown to either side during the contest. The stronger team Nashville SC experienced a significant deviation in performance levels throughout the game.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: DC United 2-2 Nashville SC. Nashville SC showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with team performances.
  • xG alignment: The outcome proved consistent with the xG metrics recorded.
  • Market alignment: The final result aligned with pre-match market indicators.
  • xG expectations: DC United posted a narrow xG edge of 0.13 over Nashville SC.
  • Event impact: The second half comeback by DC United shaped the draw.
  • Red card distortion: Absence of red cards created no distortion in the match flow.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Montero
R. Montero
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
N. Uranga
N. Uranga
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
B. Rigel
B. Rigel
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Griggs
J. Griggs
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
DC United R. Weiler
R. Weiler
VS
Nashville SC B. Callaghan II
B. Callaghan II
1.29
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.29
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Toronto Rank: 58 W
Houston Dynamo Rank: 63 D
CF Montréal Rank: 60 D
St. Louis City Rank: 67 D
Chicago Fire Rank: 68 L
Nashville SC Rank: 74 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Orlando City Rank: 65 L
CF Montréal Rank: 57 W
Atlanta United Rank: 55 W
New York City Rank: 71 W
Los Angeles FC Rank: 75 W
New England Rank: 65 W
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 2 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
59.79
74.2
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
DC United
Nashville SC
Power Score
59.79
74.2
League Position
8
1
Global Rank
655
213

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
DC United — Opponent-weighted form score
Nashville SC — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) DC United Nashville SC

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

DC United

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Nashville SC

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

DC United ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Nashville SC
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
11.90
0.99
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
0.99
11.90
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
DC United +0.76 Efficiency Index
vs
Nashville SC -0.76 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
DC United
Nashville SC
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

DC United
vs
Nashville SC
Created Set-piece attacking threat
DC United Nashville SC
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
12%
55%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 1.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.20 vs +0.11
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
DC United Nashville SC
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
55%
12%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
1.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
+0.11 vs -0.20
DC United
Nashville SC
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
DC United
vs
Nashville SC
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
DC United Nashville SC
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
DC United 0.33
Nashville SC 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
DC United Nashville SC
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
DC United 0.00
Nashville SC 0.00
DC United
Nashville SC
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • NSH had peak pressure around 42'.
  • NSH started the game with stronger pressure.
DCU Pressure NSH Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: NSH reached the top pressure at 42' (93.02).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

DC United DCU Home
5 matches
Nashville SC NSH Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
2
Draws
2
1
Losses
2
Goals
8
Goals Scored
7
7
Goals Conceded
8
+1
Goal Difference
-1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-02T00:04:55+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-4-2
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 01, 2026, 11:30 PM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Audi Field
Capacity
20000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Ricardo Montero
Nick Uranga
Ben Rigel
JC Griggs

Statistics

Possession
DCU
41%
NSH
59%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 2
1 Big Chances Created 1
6 Shots 5
46 Dangerous attacks 35
39 Possession 61
8 Corners 3
10 Free kicks 13
2 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

44 Ball Safe 49
0 Penalties 1
7 Goal Kicks 4
9 Goal Attempts 6
3 Substitutions 5
16 Throwins 15
1 Hit Woodwork 0
3 Successful Headers 5
0 Injuries 1
11 Dribble Attempts 14
3 Successful Dribbles 6
27 Successful Dribbles Percentage 43

Attacking

79 Attacks 97
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

34 Long Passes 61
310 Passes 509
238 Successful Passes 442
77 Successful Passes Percentage 87
12 Key Passes 8
7 Successful Long Passes 29
21 Successful Long Passes Percentage 48

Defensive

0 Saves 5
16 Tackles 16
4 Interceptions 9
48 Duels Won 56

Build-up

26 Total Crosses 13
5 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
14 Fouls 10

Lineup

Referee : Ricardo Montero

Starting XI ▼

1
Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson Goalkeeper
6.56
3
Lucas Bartlett
Lucas Bartlett (C) Defender
6.67
5
Silvan Hefti
Silvan Hefti Defender
6.5
6
Keisuke Kurokawa
Keisuke Kurokawa Defender
6.68
15
Kye Rowles
Kye Rowles Defender
6.38
7
Peglow
Peglow Midfielder
6.78
21
Andre Dozzell
Andre Dozzell Midfielder
6.5
23
Brandon Servania
Brandon Servania Midfielder
6.42
4
Matti Peltola
Matti Peltola
Defender64'
25
Jackson Hopkins
Jackson Hopkins Midfielder
6.69
22
Nathan Ordaz
Nathan Ordaz
Attacker64'
9
Tai Baribo
Tai Baribo Attacker
6.61
11
Louis Munteanu
Louis Munteanu Attacker
6.57
8
Jared Stroud
Jared Stroud
Midfielder90+1'
Referee : Ricardo Montero

Starting XI ▼

99
Brian Schwake
Brian Schwake Goalkeeper
6.84
2
Daniel Lovitz
Daniel Lovitz Defender
6.51
3
Maxwell Woledzi
Maxwell Woledzi Defender
6.69
4
Jeison Palacios
Jeison Palacios Defender
6.69
31
Andy Nájar
Andy Nájar Defender
6.57
27
Reed Baker-Whiting
Reed Baker-Whiting
Defender84'
10
Hany Mukhtar
Hany Mukhtar (C) Midfielder
6.53
6
Bryan Acosta
Bryan Acosta
Midfielder73'
14
Shak Mohammed
Shak Mohammed Midfielder
6.59
16
Matthew Corcoran
Matthew Corcoran Midfielder
6.55
20
Edvard Tagseth
Edvard Tagseth Midfielder
6.59
22
Josh Bauer
Josh Bauer
Defender84'
37
Ahmed Qasem
Ahmed Qasem Midfielder
6.47
11
Elias Saad
Elias Saad
Attacker62'
9
Sam Surridge
Sam Surridge Attacker
6.51

Events

2ND-HALF
90+10'
Event
Matthew Corcoran
5th Yellowcard
Event
Jared Stroud → Louis Munteanu
8th Substitution
90+1'
84'
Event
Josh Bauer → Edvard Tagseth
6th Substitution
84'
Event
Reed Baker-Whiting → Andy Nájar
7th Substitution
84'
Event
Elias Saad
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
Event
Tai Baribo
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
77'
73'
Event
Bryan Acosta → Hany Mukhtar
5th Substitution
Event
Lucas Bartlett 
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
72'
Event
Nathan Ordaz → Jackson Hopkins
3rd Substitution
64'
Event
Matti Peltola → Brandon Servania
4th Substitution
64'
62'
Event
Warren Madrigal → Shak Mohammed
1st Substitution
62'
Event
Elias Saad → Ahmed Qasem
2nd Substitution
Event
Silvan Hefti
Goal awarded
60'
Event
Silvan Hefti
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
56'
1ST-HALF
Event
Tai Baribo
Argument / 1st Yellowcard
45+3'
45+3'
Event
Shak Mohammed
Argument / 2nd Yellowcard
40'
Event
Shak Mohammed
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
32'
Event
Sam Surridge
Right foot shot / 1st Penalty

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card.
90
Attempt Attempt
Josh Bauer takes a header shot, but it misses the target.
90
Attempt Attempt
Thai Baribo attempts a header but misses the shot.
90
Update Update
Jared Stroud is on, and Louis Munteanu is off.
90
Attempt Attempt
Sam Surridge takes a right-footed shot but misses.
89
Attempt Attempt
Joao Peglow takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
86
Attempt Attempt
Elias Saad takes a right-footed shot but misses.
84
Attempt Attempt
Elias Saad takes a right-footed shot but misses.
84
Update Update
Reed Baker Whiting is on, and Andy Najar is off.
84
Update Update
Josh Bauer replaces Edvard Tagseth.
83
Attempt Attempt
Thai Baribo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
83
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Attempt Attempt
Sam Surridge takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
79
Attempt Attempt
Louis Munteanu takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
77
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot on goal! Thai Baribo scores with a left-footed shot.
77
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Thai Baribo scores to make it 2-2, assisted by Louis Munteanu.
74
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
73
Update Update
Bryan Acosta replaces Hany Mukhtar.
72
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Lucas Bartlett.
70
Attempt Attempt
Thai Baribo takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
69
Attempt Attempt
Thai Baribo's header is saved.
69
Attempt Attempt
Joao Peglow's right-footed shot is blocked.
64
Update Update
Matti Peltola is on, and Brandon Servania is off.
64
Update Update
Nathan Ordaz is on, and Jackson Hopkins is off.
62
Update Update
Elias Saad replaces Ahmed Qasem.
62
Update Update
Warren Steven Madrigal Molina comes on for Shak Mohammed.
62
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-2.
60
GOAL! GOAL! Important
VAR decision confirms the goal for Silvan Hefti.
57
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-2.
56
GOAL! GOAL! Important
VAR decision confirms the goal for Silvan Hefti.
56
Update Update
Offside.
56
Update Update
Offside.
56
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
53
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
53
Attempt Attempt
Brandon Servania takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
51
Attempt Attempt
Daniel Lovitz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
50
Attempt Attempt
Hany Mukhtar takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
48
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
47
Attempt Attempt
Ahmed Qasem takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Thai Baribo.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Hany Mukhtar receives a yellow card.
45
Attempt Attempt
Jackson Hopkins takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
44
Attempt Attempt
Louis Munteanu takes a right-footed shot but misses.
40
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shak Mohammed scores with a left-footed shot.
40
Attempt Attempt
Shak Mohammed takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
40
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Shak Mohammed scores, making it 0-2.
32
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Sam Surridge takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
32
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal in the penalty shootout! Sam Surridge scores, making it 0-1.
32
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
27
Attempt Attempt
Louis Munteanu takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
20
Attempt Attempt
Silvan Hefti takes a right-footed shot but misses.
20
Update Update
Thai Baribo's header is blocked.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
17
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
15
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Attempt Attempt
Louis Munteanu takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Ricardo Montero.

CONCLUSION

The 2-2 draw highlighted DC United's resilience after trailing 0-2 at halftime against Nashville SC. Despite lower possession DC United generated competitive xG totals that supported their recovery. Nashville SC maintained control for much of the game yet could not hold their advantage. The close xG values reflected an even contest overall with both sides creating opportunities. No dismissals occurred to alter the dynamics on the field. This result demonstrated how second half adjustments can overcome early deficits in league play. Teams will review these patterns to refine future strategies and maintain consistency across matches.