BJ Callaghan insisted his Nashville SC team will improve their decision-making moving forward as they prepare to face Minnesota United at GEODIS Park this weekend. 

Nashville were unable to make it two wins from two to start their MLS campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by FC Dallas in their last league outing at Toyota Stadium.

However, matters were not helped when Matthew Corcoran picked up two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes late on, but Nashville were able to hold on to take a point. 

The Coyotes had an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.49 from their seven shots, with just one of those on target, marking an uncharacteristic showing in front of goal. 

Despite the stalemate, Callaghan was proud of the display, saying: "When you play against a good FC Dallas team, there are a hell of a lot of things for this team to be proud of. 

"I thought we were able to get into the final third reasonably well, the way the backline won their duels, winning second balls and doing so with a high intensity across the pitch. 

"There were so many positives to how we closed out the game after going down a man. Overall, really a lot to be proud of, but there is still plenty to work on for us. 

"Potentially, it comes with our decision-making in the final third and the execution of our finishing. We have to continue to clear that up, and it is something we will get better at."

Minnesota, meanwhile, picked up their first win of the Cameron Knowles era by getting the better of FC Cincinnati with a 1-0 victory in front of their home supporters. 

Cincinnati had won their last two regular-season meetings coming into the game, but Kelvin Yeboah's 66th-minute strike proved to be decisive for Minnesota. 

The Loons are seventh in the Western Conference after going unbeaten in their first two league games, and Knowles lauded his team for their display last time out. 

"It was a huge three points," Knowles said. "We knew it was going to be a tough game because they [Cincinnati] started the season really well and are full of confidence. 

"They are a challenging group to play against, and for our squad to execute the game plan the way that they did was outstanding. It was difficult conditions for the team. 

"Our changes made such a big difference, and credit to everyone who put a shift in over those 90 minutes. It was a heavy lift to get three points off of them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

Since the start of last season, Sam Surridge has scored 15 goals in 18 regular-season games at GEODIS Park, including netting twice in the home-opening win on February 21.

Indeed, his 15 home goals ties Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for most in MLS since the start of last season.

Minnesota United – Tomas Chancalay 

Tomas Chancalay has contributed to multiple goals in each of his first two career MLS matches against Nashville (three goals, one assist in total), both with the New England Revolution.

Chancalay and Messi (three straight) are the only players to contribute to multiple goals in two straight regular-season matches against Nashville.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN

This will be the first meeting between Nashville and Minnesota United since a 5-0 win for the Coyotes in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Leagues Cup. That is their only win over the Loons, with this weekend's visitors having posted a win and two draws in three league meetings between the sides.

But including their wins over New England and Atletico Ottawa this year, Nashville have won 10 of their last 12 home matches in all competitions (L2), including the last three in a row. They have also scored at least three times in seven of those 12 matches, including three different five-goal performances.

Minnesota are, however, unbeaten in their first two matches of the season for the sixth time in the last eight years, dating back to 2019. The Loons have gone on to avoid defeat in their first three matches of a season in four of the previous seven seasons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC – 45%

Draw – 26.9%

Minnesota United – 28.1%