LAFC vs. Nashville SC 10/9/22 - Major League Soccer Picks & Predictions

On Sunday, LAFC hosts Nashville SC in a MLS Western Conference fixture. LAFC is first in the  conference table at 21-4-8 on 67 points with a goal difference of +29. LAFC has already won the Supporters’ Shield with the best overall record in the MLS. LAFC defeated the Portland Timbers on the road 2-1 last time out to clinch the Supporters’ Shield. Carlos Vela scored in the 51st minute for LAFC and Denis Bouanga scored the winner in second-half stoppage time (90’+5’).

LAFC has won two Supporters’ Shields following its victory on Sunday over Portland and is the second club in MLS history to have won more than one Supporters’ Shield in its first five years in the league. Cristain Arango is the leading goal scorer for LAFC with 16, while Carlos Vela has scored 12. Vela is the leader in assists with nine and Jose Cifuentes has seven.

Nashville is fifth in the conference table at 12-11-10 on 47 points with a goal difference of +10. Nashville has already clinched a playoff berth when losing to Houston at home 2-1 last Sunday. Walker Zimmerman scored Nashville's only goal in second-half stoppage time. Nashville must win on Sunday to have any hope of hosting a first-round playoff match.

Nashville’s unbeaten streak of six consecutive matches was snapped in its loss to Houston last Sunday. Nashville is unbeaten in six of its last seven matches on the road with three wins and three draws. Hany Mukhtar is the leading goal scorer for Nashville with 23 and C.J. Sapong has scored five. Mukhtar is the leader in assists with eight, while Randall Leal and Sapong each have five.