New York Red Bulls vs Nashville SC preview: next match kick-off, venue & key talking points

The next New York Red Bulls match sees them host high-flying Nashville SC in Major League Soccer action. This MLS Regular Season - 20 clash is scheduled for 19 August 2026, with kick-off at 23:30 UTC, at Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison. For fans searching for when New York Red Bulls play next, this New York Red Bulls vs Nashville SC preview covers all the key details: kick-off time, venue, standings, form, head to head and prediction.

The stakes are clear in the Eastern Conference standings. New York Red Bulls sit 8th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points from 19 games and are currently in the zone described as “Promotion - MLS (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)”. Visitors Nashville SC arrive in Harrison as 1st in the Eastern Conference on 43 points from 19 matches, in the “Promotion - MLS (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)” position. With Red Bulls trying to consolidate and climb within the playoff picture and Nashville looking to strengthen their grip near the top of the conference, this is a significant mid-season test for both sides.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

• Competition: Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 20
• Date / Kick-off: 2026-08-19T23:30:00Z
• Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison
• Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)

Standings & form

New York Red Bulls come into this fixture 8th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points and a goal difference of -11. Their overall record from 19 matches is 7 wins, 4 draws and 8 defeats, scoring 30 and conceding 41. At home they have played 9 times, recording 4 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses with 16 goals for and 18 against. Their recent league form is mixed, shown by the sequence LWLLW, underlining the need for consistency if they are to firm up their playoff position.

Nashville SC travel as the current Eastern Conference leaders, sitting 1st with 43 points and a strong goal difference of +24. Across 19 league games they have 13 wins, 4 draws and just 2 defeats, scoring 39 times and conceding only 15. Away from home, Nashville have played 9 matches, with a record of 4 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses, netting 10 goals and allowing 5. Their form line of WDLWW underlines a side that has been difficult to beat and remains in good rhythm heading into this trip to Harrison.

Season statistics add further context. New York Red Bulls have managed just 1 clean sheet in 19 league outings and have failed to score 4 times. They have converted their only penalty of the season so far. Discipline-wise, they have accumulated a notable spread of yellow cards, with 16 bookings between minutes 76–90 and 6 more in added time ranges, plus 2 red cards shown in the 46–60 and 91–105 minute bands. Nashville SC, by contrast, have kept an impressive 8 clean sheets and also failed to score 4 times. They are perfect from the spot with 3 penalties scored from 3. Their card profile shows 14 yellow cards between minutes 76–90 and a single red card in that same late period, underlining how intense the closing stages of their games can become.

Head-to-head

• 2025-05-15: Nashville SC 2–1 New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
• 2025-03-02: New York Red Bulls 2–0 Nashville SC (Major League Soccer)
• 2024-06-15: New York Red Bulls 0–0 Nashville SC (Major League Soccer)
• 2024-02-24: Nashville SC 0–0 New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
• 2023-10-22: Nashville SC 0–1 New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)

The recent MLS head-to-head record between New York Red Bulls and Nashville SC has been tight and low-scoring. Across the five league meetings listed above, Red Bulls have recorded two wins (2–0 at home in March 2025 and 1–0 away in October 2023), Nashville have one victory (2–1 at home in May 2025), and there have been two 0–0 draws in 2024. Three of those five encounters finished either 0–0 or 1–0, suggesting fine margins and defences often on top when these sides meet.

Team news & absences

New York Red Bulls will be without A. Marcucci, who is listed as a Missing Fixture due to a Knee Injury. R. Mosquera is marked as Questionable with a Thigh Injury, so his involvement remains uncertain.

For Nashville SC, P. Yazbek is ruled out as a Missing Fixture because of a Muscle Injury. W. Madrigal is considered Questionable with a Lower-Body Injury, and his status will likely be assessed closer to kick-off.

Key players to watch

• S. Surridge (Nashville SC) — 12 goals in MLS 2026, making him a major attacking threat for the visitors and a focal point for Nashville’s forward play.
• J. Hall (New York Red Bulls) — 9 goals and 3 assists, leading the Red Bulls’ scoring charts and carrying much of their attacking responsibility.
• C. Espinoza (Nashville SC) — 3 goals and 7 assists, a key creative outlet whose delivery and chance creation could unlock the Red Bulls defence.
• C. Cowell (New York Red Bulls) — 2 goals and 5 assists, providing width and service, and an important link in the Red Bulls’ attacking transitions.

Prediction

The prediction model leans towards the visitors in this New York Red Bulls vs Nashville SC prediction, but with room for a home result. The percentages give New York Red Bulls 10% to win, with a 45% chance of a draw and a 45% chance of a Nashville SC victory. The advised tip is a “Double chance: draw or Nashville SC”, reflecting Nashville’s strong season form and defensive record, while still acknowledging the possibility that Red Bulls can take something from this home fixture.