Keys to the Match | Flying Visit

New York City FC take on Nashville SC on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM ET. 

Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford.

Form Guide

The meetings between New York City FC and Nashville SC during Pascal Jansen’s tenure have certainly been tight affairs. 

In three games, both teams have won one game 2-1 while the third meeting was a 2-2 draw. Asked why the two teams appear to run each other so close, Jansen said this week: 

"Somehow we're always able to make it a competitive game amongst ourselves," Jansen said of the form guide. "That's what we're aiming for on Friday here in New York as well. The reason why [the games are narrow results] is because I think both teams have good players and quality on pitch and a good mindset and that's a good recipe for a good game." 

The two teams will reunite on Friday night at Yankee Stadium eager to secure three points. That could produce another close encounter between two teams blessed with talent and eager to show the best version of themselves. 

Flying Visit

Friday’s contest against Nashville represents one of two back-to-back home games for New York City FC. 

Prior to this, the team had three consecutive road games and will be back on their travels after next Wednesday’s game against the New England Revolution. 

With road points in MLS always difficult to acquire it makes home form vitally important. New York City FC currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, three points behind FC Cincinnati in sixth. 

If the team can make the most of this flying visit back home, they could take an important jump in the table and close the gap on Charlotte FC in fifth. 

Front Three

One thing New York City FC will need to be mindful of on Friday against Nashville SC is their opponent’s attacking prowess. 

Only two teams in the Eastern Conference have scored more goals than Nashville this season and it’s easy to see why. Between Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza the team has three talented attacking players. 

Nashville have scored at least three goals in three of their last four outings in MLS. Limiting their ability in the final third will be a key task for New York City FC when they host B.J. Callaghan’s side on Friday.