B.J. Callaghan tempered Nashville SC's title hopes despite extending their unbeaten run to 10 league matches after a 3-2 win over the New England Revolution in midweek. 

Nashville twice came from behind to seal a 3-2 victory at the Gillette Stadium, with in-form Sam Surridge netting a hat-trick to take his tally to 15 goals in the MLS this season. 

The Coyotes are also now unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions, and sit third in the Eastern Conference, five points adrift of leaders Philadelphia Union. 

Nashville make the trip to Audi Field this weekend to face D.C. United, and while talk of the title swirls around his team, Callaghan was keen to focus on the present. 

"We don't put expectations on ourselves," said Callaghan. Their jobs are to be prepared and be ready to perform and the next man up when your number is called.

"We know that we're expecting everybody to make contributions over a long MLS season.

"And we just come to work every day, put our work in, stick to the way we want to play, stick to the way we want to prepare, and continue to just turn every page."

Despite leading the race for the Golden Boot, Surridge was not selected for this summer's MLS All-Star game, something Callaghan also did not want to look too deep in to. 

"We don't really get into that. I'm just happy he's scoring and keeps scoring," Callaghan laughed.

"He's scoring, but there's so many other ways that he's contributing as well, which is what we're most proud about."

Nashville defender Daniel Lovitz added: "Obviously, once the goals start coming, he's a really dangerous guy to play against.

"It's something that we've found throughout his time here, and having him be so prolific is important to free up space for other guys, but he's a killer in the important moments.

"That's what [you would] want for your No. 9. He's a pleasure to play with."

And they face a D.C. side low on confidence. They have lost their last two fixtures, which included a crushing 7-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

With top-scorer Christian Benteke out injured, Pirani has been given the difficult task of leading the line for his team. 

The 23-year-old has two goals and two assists this season from the right side of their attack, with both goals coming after his recent return from injury.

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

It's hard to look past Surridge as the player to watch given his performances of late, with the striker now two goals clear of Philadelphia's Tai Baribo in the scoring charts. 

Along with his 15 goals, he also has two assists. Indeed, only San Diego FC's Anders Dreyer (19) has more goal involvements than the Nashville forward this season. 

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

D.C. United have two wins, four draws, and four losses this season in 10 MLS contests on home soil. They are, however, in the midst of a four-match MLS home winless streak dating to May 14 against New York City FC.

In league matches on their travels this season, Nashville have four wins, two draws, and three losses. Nashville SC are on a five-match away unbeaten streak. They haven't been defeated in an MLS away game since April 19 against Seattle Sounders.

However, D.C. United have got the better of Nashville of late, unbeaten in the last three MLS matches between them. Nashville are looking for their first league win in games between the two teams since July 2023.

The clubs played out a 0-0 draw in their last MLS meeting, a May match at GEODIS Park.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 33.3%

Draw – 25.6%

Nashville SC – 41.1%