B.J. Callaghan cited the form of Hany Mukhtar as key to Nashville SC's club-record start to an MLS season following their 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in midweek.

Mukhtar scored the winning goal against the Red Bulls, helping the Coyotes to their fourth victory in five matches across all competitions.

They have collected 23 points from 13 matches and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, five points adrift of leaders FC Cincinnati.

"From day one when we started here, we said that we want a team that represents the city," Callaghan said. "We want to be a team that represents the fans and that they can be proud of.

And the key to that success has been 2022 MLS MVP Mukhtar, who has notched nine goal involvements (six goals, three assists) already in the league this term.

"Hany's a player that eats, breathes, and sleeps soccer," added Callaghan. "He's someone who's constantly trying to improve himself, find ways, and study the game and how he can improve there. He's truly dedicated to his craft and he's constantly working to improve.

"And I think that's why you see an upward trajectory throughout his seasons. And selfishly, I'd rather it that way. I'd rather slow starts and hot finishes than the other way around."

Nashville will be hoping to continue their winning momentum against D.C. United at GEODIS Park this weekend, with their opponents potentially without Christian Benteke.

Troy Lesesne's team were held to a goalless draw by New York City FC last time out, with D.C. goalkeeper Luis Barraza key to their shutout.

Barraza made five saves in a game that NYCFC completely dominated, having generated an expected goals (xG) total of 2.2 from their 15 shots to D.C.'s 0.93.

"The entire group really worked hard to defend and keep a clean sheet," Lesesne said. "But you have to say Luis is the person that led us in that area.

"And I know this one meant a little bit more probably than a lot of the other results, but he really stepped up big."

Benteke was replaced by Jacob Murrell with just 20 minutes gone against NYCFC with a suspected ankle injury, though he does not believe the issue is serious.

"I don't think it's too bad, but [it was] enough for me to not continue the game," Benteke said. "I don't think it's something to worry about, but it's painful right now."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has recorded a goal contribution in four straight regular-season matches for the eighth time in his career, but the first since between May and June 2023.

His last longer run of games with a goal contribution was a career-best eight-match streak between August and September 2022.

D.C. United – Jacob Murrell

In the potential absence of Benteke, Murrell will likely be the man tasked with leading the line for D.C., though he is without a goal since the second game of the league season.

He has recorded one assist in two MLS games against Nashville and has won both his matches against the Coyotes and will be looking to continue that run this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville have won four straight regular-season home matches, including a 2-1 win over the Red Bulls on Wednesday. They have won six of their last seven league matches at GEODIS Park after winning just five home matches last season.

D.C. have, however, won both meetings with Nashville last season, scoring a 2-1 win at home and a 4-3 win on the road. They had not won any of their first six matches against the Coyotes (D2 L4), scoring a total of four goals in those games.

But Lesesne's side have lost four of their last five away matches (W1), including suffering shutout defeats in each of their last two on the road. D.C. had lost only one of their previous eight away matches before losing four of five, failing to score only once in that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville – 55.6%

Draw – 22.9%

D.C. United – 21.5%