Nashville SC and Austin FC Battle for Playoff Spots in MLS

So, what happens when two teams teetering on the edge of disaster meet? Well, we’re about to find out this Saturday, August 24th, when Nashville SC takes on Austin FC in what’s shaping up to be one heck of a showdown. But, hey, this isn’t just another game of soccer—this is life or death for both sides.

This match has a ton of weight behind it—two clubs desperately clawing their way out of a season that’s been, to put it lightly, disappointing. For Austin FC, every point lost feels like their playoff dreams are slipping through their fingers. And Nashville? Well, they’ve just brought in a new head coach, B.J. Callaghan, and it feels like their last-ditch attempt to pull themselves out of the mud. With a recent run of ugly losses and a team that can’t seem to find its groove, Callaghan’s got the tough job of bringing hope to a fanbase that’s starting to lose faith.

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Now, Austin FC, they’ve got their own problems, sure, but there’s a little light at the end of their tunnel. With Sebastián Driussi leading the charge, they’ve managed to stay in the mix. And now, with their new winger Osman Bukari joining the squad, they might just have the spark they need to finally shake off this funk. These guys know they can’t afford to slip up anymore—Minnesota United’s sitting right in front of them, holding the last playoff spot by just two points. A win this weekend could be the jump-start Austin needs to reignite their playoff hopes and finish strong.

On the flip side, we’ve got Nashville SC, who just can’t seem to find a way to win. The numbers are brutal—six straight losses in MLS play before the break for the Leagues Cup. It’s the kind of situation that makes fans wonder if there’s any fight left in the team. And that’s where B.J. Callaghan steps in. Yeah, he’s new to the MLS scene, but the guy’s got a solid résumé as an assistant coach for the U.S. national team. The big question is, though, can he pull Nashville out of this mess?

Playing at home gives Nashville a slight edge. They’ll be in GEODIS Park, surrounded by their home crowd, and that could play a big role. But let’s be real here, a psychological advantage only counts if the team knows how to use it. With the way Nashville’s been playing, it’s tough to believe that’s gonna be enough. And without Sam Surridge, who’s probably out due to injury, the weight falls even harder on Hany Mukhtar’s shoulders. Mukhtar’s a guy who’s shown he’s got the goods, but putting all your hopes on one player? That’s like betting everything on one horse—eventually, it’s gonna run out of steam.

Meanwhile, Austin FC is riding high on a wave of wins they picked up during the Leagues Cup. Sure, they got knocked out by LAFC, but they managed to beat two of the top teams in Liga MX along the way. That emotional high might be exactly what they need to power through the final stretch of the MLS season. We’ve seen it before—Driussi’s a player who can change the course of a game all by himself. And now, with Bukari in the mix, this duo could set Austin’s attack on fire and deliver another gut punch to Nashville.

But hey, let’s not forget that history isn’t exactly on Austin’s side in this matchup. In their last two away games against Nashville, they left without a single point. So, will the third time be the charm? Or is Nashville finally going to give their fans something to cheer about after all this time?

These are two teams that should be fighting for bigger things, but instead, they’re stuck in the mud, just battling to survive. And that’s exactly what we’re gonna see on Saturday night. For Austin, it’s their shot to prove they’re still in the game. For Nashville, it’s a chance to show that they’ve still got some life left in them and that Callaghan might just be the guy to turn it all around.

Who would've thought we'd be sitting here in August 2024, talking about Nashville SC and Austin FC as two of the most desperate teams in the MLS?