New York City FC's Maxi Moralez admits he does not know if he will play again after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), requiring surgery.

Moralez was stretchered off in NYCFC's 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls last weekend, having gone down with no contact, and has since confirmed the seriousness of the injury, which could mean the 39-year-old is forced to call time on his career.

He will be a big miss for NYCFC, who were knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup quarter-final by the Columbus Crew in midweek, meaning they are winless in two heading into their last match before the World Cup break against Nashville SC.

"At this point in my career, who knows if it will end this way (I don't know)," Moralez wrote on X.

"So many things going through my head, sadness, a lot of disappointment, so many unanswered questions. Thank you all for the love received."

NYCFC are fifth in the Eastern Conference, having gone unbeaten in their last three MLS matches (W2 D1), keeping a clean sheet in both their wins.

Nashville, meanwhile, lead the way in the East after losing just one of their opening 13 matches, and going unbeaten in their last seven (W5 D2).

They beat Los Angeles FC 3-2 in their last outing, with Hany Mukhtar scoring all three of their goals, having gone three games without scoring beforehand.

"The way Hany goes about his work each and every day is totally professional," Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan said of Mukhtar.

"I think he had a point to prove [against LAFC] and he did it.

"He's got great confidence in himself, and he prepares, but I give him a ton of credit for also the work he does without the ball, leading our defensive line, tracking back, winning tackles, initiating transitions and putting in a complete performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar recorded his fifth career hat-trick against Los Angeles FC, and his first since June 2023, becoming the seventh player in MLS history to score five or more.

He is also the second player (Josef Martinez with Atlanta United) to score five hat-tricks at home with one team.

New York City FC – Nicolas Fernandez

Nicolas Fernandez has a goal contribution in nine of New York City FC's first 14 games this season.

He has been involved in each of NYCFC's last five goals and eight of the team's last 10 goals.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN

Nashville are unbeaten in four home matches against New York City FC (W3 D1) and are one of two teams NYCFC have visited more than once and never recorded a road win (four at Real Salt Lake).

Nashville have scored multiple goals in eight straight home games, dating back to last season.

The only team with a longer run of consecutive multiple-goal matches this decade is the Philadelphia Union, who did so twice (10 from June 2022 to February 2023, nine from April 2025 to July 2025).

But NYCFC have conceded just six road goals this season, tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps for the fourth fewest in MLS. They have allowed multiple goals in just one match, tied for the second-fewest in MLS behind only Nashville.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC – 54.6%

Draw – 22.3%

New York City FC – 23.1%