It’s another gameday and the Columbus Crew are still looking for their first win of the 2026 MLS season. With two points out of their first three matches, another opportunity awaits them as they prepare to host a red-hot Nashville SC side who have yet to lose a game so far.

To give us insight on the yellow team from the Music City, we sat down with Ben Wright of SixOneFive Soccer to help us better understand just how good Nashville is this season.

Massive Report: Sam Surridge. Enough said. What can the Crew do to keep him quiet, given that he’s very dynamic up front and is destined for at least a goal a game?

Ben Wright: “Yeah, that’s kind of the question everyone is having to figure out. Especially now that players like Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal have done so well, if you focus too hard on Surridge, you’ll get punished elsewhere. The best way to stop Surridge specifically is to try and cut off the service to him, especially from players like Espinoza, Andy Najar and Dan Lovitz. If a team can stop them from progressing the ball into the penalty area, they’ll have a much easier time.”

MR: Two wins, no losses, one draw. What has been the driving factor for Nashville and their success?

BW: “They’ve really built on what they did well in 2025. The attacking principles are the same, but they’re more intuitive now and they’ve added some really dangerous pieces. The biggest surprise has been the back line. In six matches in all competitions, they’ve allowed just two goals, including holding Inter Miami and Lionel Messi to a single shot on target. The center back duo of Maxwell Woledzi and Jeisson Palacios looks genuinely elite, and Brian Schwake is proving to be a solid starting ‘keeper.”

MR: With Columbus still looking for a win, what are some of the weaknesses Nashville has that the Crew can try to expose? 

BW: “Nashville play a high line, so there’s definitely the potential to get in behind. This is especially true out wide, where both fullbacks push forward in attack. With as many bodies as they push forward, their rest defense can feel a little suspect at times, and it’s an area they need to clean up as the season goes on.”

MR: Who are some underrated players that Columbus should keep tabs on?

BW: “Maxwell Woledzi might not be a super familiar name, but he was a big addition for Nashville this season. After back-to-back Best XI appearances in the Norwegian first division, he came to Nashville to replace Walker Zimmerman, and looks like a top-tier center back.

Patrick Yazbek is another one to keep an eye on. The 23-year-old Australian is having an incredible start to the season, and has been arguably Nashville’s best player so far.”

MR: Prediction? Lineup? Injuries?

BW: “No major injuries to note. The big question is how much – if at all – BJ Callaghan decides to rotate with the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Miami coming up on Wednesday. I’d expect him to field a pretty strong lineup, though, and I think Nashville should be able to get a point here. I’m calling a 1-1 draw.”

Lineup: Schwake; Lovitz, Woledzi, Palacios, Bauer; Tagseth, Acosta; Qasem, Espinoza; Madrigal, Mukhtar

Kickoff from Scotts-MiracleGro Field is set for 6:15 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on Apple TV and Fox Sports 1.