BJ Callaghan has urged his Nashville SC team to "execute better in both penalty boxes" ahead of their potentially crucial trip to Inter Miami on Saturday.

Nashville failed to extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Toronto FC on Wednesday.

They conceded a 93rd-minute winner after struggling to deal with counter-attacks or create any clear-cut chances of their own.

That result also came off the back of a goalless draw with New York City FC; Nashville's only goal across their last two games came via an own goal.

And Callaghan has demanded more urgency in the key areas of the pitch ahead of their clash with the reigning MLS Cup champions.

"I don't have an answer for why," Callaghan said when asked about Nashville's attacking struggles.

"I have to go back and look at it. I think there's a combination of everything, but we definitely were not sharp.

"We were not disciplined in our phases of play, and at the end of the day, we need to execute better in both penalty boxes.

"That's where games are won and lost, in both penalty boxes. We need to execute better."

Miami are second in the East, nine points behind Nashville, after a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire during the week.

Lionel Messi once again assisted Casemiro, who cancelled out Robert Lewandowski's opener, but the Herons were unable to capitalise on Nashville's defeat.

A win for Nashville would give them a huge boost towards securing the top spot in the East and winning the Supporters' Shield, with Miami realistically needing to win to keep their hopes of topping the standings alive.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has scored 16 goals in 13 matches against Nashville in all competitions.

He has also netted in six straight home matches against Nashville in all competitions, having scored in seven or more straight home games against four teams, all in Spain with Barcelona (Celta Vigo – seven, Espanyol – seven, Levante – eight, Osasuna – eight).

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

Surridge is Nashville's top scorer in MLS this season, netting 13 times in 18 matches in 2026.

In their defeat to Toronto, Surridge led his side in shots (three) and touches in the box (seven), while also winning three of his five aerial duels.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have won only one of their last eight matches in all competitions (D3 L4), following a run of seven wins in eight games.

The Herons have scored in each of their last 24 matches in all competitions, but they have managed just three clean sheets in those games.

Nashville, meanwhile, were unbeaten this season in MLS play when scoring first (W16 D1) prior to their loss to Toronto. Dating back to last season, Nashville have lost just twice in their last 31 regular-season matches when scoring the first goal (W26 D3).

This will be the 17th meeting between Miami and Nashville in all competitions since the start of 2023, the most played matchup by any MLS teams in that time.

Miami hold the advantage with eight wins to Nashville’s three (D5) in that span, but Nashville won the last meeting 4-1 at home on August 15.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 48.3%

Draw – 22.8%

Nashville – 28.9%