BJ Callaghan has urged his Nashville SC side to be more clinical in their finishing as they look to extend their lead at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference in a clash against Charlotte FC. 

Nashville were handed their first defeat of the season as they lost 1-0 to Chicago Fire in their last outing, with Philip Zinckernagel finding the net after just 14 seconds – the fastest goal in MLS this season. 

While that result snapped their five-match unbeaten run, they remain atop the Eastern Conference standings, two points clear of New York City FC, Charlotte, and Inter Miami. 

Ahead of their visit to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, Callaghan urged his side to make the most of their chances. 

"I mean, for us everything is just about being more clinical in our finishing," he told reporters.  

"Even in the match against Chicago, I thought there were a couple chances out there that we could have done better with. 

"We lacked, a little bit of sharpness, just in and around the attacking side of the middle third and the final third. 

"There were a couple of moments out there that I thought we could have – and should have – got a little more out of the game. And we'll have to do that if we want to win." 

Charlotte, meanwhile, sit third in the East on 11 points, two behind Nashville. Wilfried Zaha scored an 80th minute winner to help them seal a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union in their last outing. 

That result extended Dean Smith's side's unbeaten run to four matches. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Charlotte FC – Pep Biel 

Pep Biel has six goal contributions (four goals, two assists) through Charlotte's first six games this season, marking his second straight season with at least six goal contributions through his team’s first six games. He is the only player in MLS to do this in each of the last two seasons. 

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar 

Hany Mukhtar has scored six goals in seven regular-season games against Charlotte FC – the most number of goals scored by any player against The Crown.  

The only MLS teams that Mukhtar has more goals against in the regular season are Chicago Fire (nine in eight games), Orlando City and Atlanta United (both seven in 13). 

MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE WIN 

Despite trailing Nashville by two points, Charlotte walk into Saturday's affair as favourites, though it could be a tight contest. 

Six of the seven all-time meetings between Charlotte and Nashville have been decided by a single goal or drawn. That includes the home team winning each of the last four meetings. 

Charlotte's 2-1 win over Philadelphia last weekend marked the club’s 16th regular-season home win since the beginning of last season (D2 L3). That is the most home victories in league play by any MLS team in that time with Los Angeles FC having managed 15. 

Nashville, meanwhile, will be hoping for a turn in their away fortunes. Callaghan's side have won just three of their last 15 away matches across competitions (D3 L9).  

In just the regular season, Nashville have one win in their last 10 matches away from home (D2 L7). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Charlotte FC – 41.6% 

Draw – 26.7% 

Los Angeles Galaxy – 31.7%