It's Matchday 33, and New York City FC are hosting their second consecutive "home" game at Red Bull Arena later today when they face Nashville SC. That's right, it's n afternoon game (!) played on a Sunday (!!) on the banks of the Passaic River.

New York City is trying for a perfect nine-point residency at Red Bull Arena, attempting to extend a run of two straight wins while facing a Nashville side that was eliminated from contention for a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs the night before matchday.

After last night's results, in which Orlando earned a comfortable win on the road against FC Cincinnati and Charlotte FC beat CF Montréal at home, New York City now sit in Sixth Place with today's game in hand. Nick Cushing's team know that they're five points behind Fourth Place in the Eastern Conference. If they hope to climb into the Top Four and have home field advantage in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, they need to win today, and on Decision Day in Montréal, while hoping Orlando loses at home to Atlanta United.

Episode 6: NYCFC turns a corner

We look back fondly at the two recent New York City FC victories over the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati and wonder if this team is really hitting its stride just as the MLS Cup Playoffs arrive.

Hudson River BlueHudson River Blue Staff

New York City vs Nashville H2H

All three Nashville victories were in the state of Tennessee — two at GEODIS Park and one at Nissan Stadium. Tonight's visitors have never beaten New York City away, though it's a short history of just two matches.

NYCFC's only win against Nashville was April 15, 2023 at Citi Field, with Keaton Parks and Maxime Chanot the goalscorers. These two also faced off at Red Bull Arena once before, playing to a 0-0 draw on October 3, 2021.

NYCFC stave off FC Cincinnati in 3-2 statement win

Mitja Ilenič, Alonso Martínez, and Santiago Rodríguez power New York City FC past FC Cincinnati for a hard-fought midweek win at Red Bull Arena.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam

New York City

• Player Availability: Malachi Jones (leg) remains out, and James Sands is suspended for yellow card accumulation.
• Justin Haak and Keaton Parks are one yellow card away from serving a one-match suspension for accumulation.
• New York City have won three (or more) consecutive matches two times this season, most recently when they closed out the month of May with five straight wins.
• NYCFC's last three matches have all seen a playerscore their first career goal for the club – James Sands, Tayvon Gray, Mitja Ilenič... Over to you, Thiago Martins?
• Speaking of center-backs, who will Nick Cushing start at the heart of his defense? Justin Haak performed well at the left center-back spot in the two recent wins, but might Birk Risa or Strahinja Tanasijević slide back in?
• One thing New York City have not done much this season: Keep a clean sheet. They've gone 11 matches between shutouts, and their 15.6% clean sheet percentage for the season is tied (with three other teams) for fifth-lowest in MLS this season.
• Going to the game? Be sure to read "Red Bull Arena Hacks: 5 Things you should know" before heading to Harrison.

Red Bull Arena Hacks: 5 Things to know UPDATED

Your guide to all things Harrison: How to get there, where to park, where to drink, what to eat, and why the Red Bulls App will save you.

Hudson River BlueMichael Battista

Nashville

• Player Availability: Lukas MacNaughton (ankle) and Tyler Boyd (knee) are out.
• Anibal Godoy and Dru Yearwood are one yellow card away from suspensions for accumulation.
• The team underwent a midseason managerial change and is now led by former United States men's national team assistant and interim head coach BJ Callaghan, although they haven't enjoyed much of a new head coach bounce. Callaghan's record with Nashville so far stands at 2W-2D-5L in all competitions since taking over on August 1.
• Nashville were eliminated from the playoff picture last night after DC United's road win over New England Revolution.
• For more on what's gone wrong in Nashville's playoffs-free season and what they can still do to hurt NYCFC, read the latest Oppo Research, in which Ben Wright of Broadway Sports Media tells our Matthew Mangam all about Nashville SC.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Nashville SC

Ben Wright of Broadway Sports Media tells us about a struggling Nashville on track miss the playoffs, but that are still capable of wins behind an in-form Hany Mukhtar.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam

New York City to Red Bull Arena | 10/6/24

PATH | WTC to Harrison

PATH | 33rd St to Harrison*

* Transfer at Journal Square

NJ Transit | NY Penn to Newark Penn

Red Bull Arena to New York City

| 10/6/24

PATH | Harrison to WTC

PATH | 10/6/24 Schedule
Harrison to 33rd St*

* Transfer at Journal Square

NJ Transit | NY Newark to NY Penn