MLS-leading Nashville out to extend Atlanta United's struggles

With the best record in MLS as the season resumes, Nashville SC is in go-for-it mode.

Ahead of its home match Friday night against Atlanta United, Nashville has added to an already formidable roster by signing Tunisian winger Elias Saad and 21-year-old midfielder Famara Camara of Senegal.

Already stocked with four All-Star selections -- the most of any team -- Nashville (10-1-3, 33 points) beefed up its attacking arsenal by acquiring Saad from FC Augsburg of the German Bundesliga.

Nashville owns a plus-20 goal differential, second only to Vancouver (22), and is top five in MLS in goals scored (31), fewest goals against (11) and possession (55%).

"We are an exciting team," coach BJ Callaghan said. "We are a team that wants to attack. We play exciting games."

Hany Mukhtar (six goals, five assists), Sam Surridge (nine goals), Andy Najar (five assists) and goalkeeper Brian Schwake (35 saves, six clean sheets) are the team's All-Stars. It's the fifth selection for Mukhtar, the second apiece for Surridge and Najar and the first for Schwake.

While Nashville is riding high into the second half, Atlanta (3-9-2, 11 points) is stuck in 14th in the East, seven points out of the final playoff spot. There's time for Atlanta to make a push but not a lot to indicate that it can.

Its 14 goals are tied for last in the 30-team league and goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos has conceded 23 goals while making 34 saves. Outside of Aleksey Miranchuk's five goals, no one else has tallied more than two.

Like Nashville, Atlanta has added to its roster after the break. Chilean defender Paulo Diaz and Paraguayan defender Junior Alonso figure to shore up weaknesses on the backline. Alonso helped his country shock Germany in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Atlanta chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said Alonso is a hard-working defender.

"He'll add solidarity and stability to our backline," Henderson said. "He's a natural leader."

--Field Level Media