What to watch for as Nashville SC faces CF Montreal for second time in three weeks

It's been a week since Nashville SC fired coach Gary Smith, marking the biggest overhaul in the club's seven-year existence.

Nashville tied Atlanta United last Saturday in the first game with interim coach Rumba Munthali. Now, with a full week of practice under Munthali, NSC hits the road to face CF Montreal Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, Apple TV) at Stade Saputo.

Here are the biggest storylines as Nashville (3-4-6, 15 points) goes for its first road win of the 2024 MLS season:

Nashville adjusting to Gary Smith's firing

Smith was let go May 16, the morning after Nashville defeated Toronto FC. Defender and team captain Walker Zimmerman described the timing as "a little bit surprising" after a win, but said that there was a "growing sense" among players and staff that jobs might be on the line with NSC off to its worst-ever start.

"That was the reality of the situation we were in," Zimmerman said. "It hasn't been the easiest year in terms of injuries and players being available, in terms of results and giving up leads. When all those things are combined, there might be a change."

Zimmerman talked briefly to Smith after the team was informed of his firing, and believes many of his teammates did so too,. But he said the team is now focused on moving forward, realizing that there's still over 60% of the season left and plenty of time for Nashville to move up from 11th in the Eastern Conference.

"They're all professional players," Munthali said. "It sucks, because a lot of them had really good relationships with Gary, and Gary's done a lot for this club. It's difficult to make the transition, to see somebody go. But at the end of the day, they all have to do their jobs, we all have to do their jobs. Guys were very professional about it."

Nashville looks to be aggressive under Rumba Munthali

Munthali, hired by Nashville as a player development coach in 2023, coached Sporting Kansas City's U-17 and U-19 teams at his previous stop. He considers himself a "proactive" head coach who encourages players to be assertive on the field.

"My role has changed a little bit, but that is still the focus, getting players to be the best versions of themselves, getting players to get better," Munthali said. "I think there are a few tweaks that come from me and the rest of the guys on the coaching staff that we feel could help propel us into an even more positive position."

While Munthali isn't trying to change completely what Nashville was under Smith, one of his imprints was visible in his first game. NSC played with a back four and two wingers, rather than the back five it had employed for much of the past month. Zimmerman thinks the formation shift might give Nashville more opportunity to build attacks out of the back.

"It's not just about keeping (the ball), can we hurt the opponent as soon as we win it?" Zimmerman said. "Teaching guys how to drift into pockets, to be able to combine in good spaces. Those are just some of the few things that (Munthali) has really focused on."

MORE: Nashville SC coaching search: 15 potential candidates to replace Gary Smith

CF Montreal in a slump

Montreal (3-3-7, 12 points) hasn't won since April 13 against FC Cincinnati, a winless stretch of eight matches. It's lost its past four MLS games, beginning with a 4-1 loss to Nashville on May 4. On Wednesday, it suffered an upset loss to Forge FC in the Canadian Championship, failing to reach the semifinals of the competition for the first time ever.

Defense has been the primary culprit for Montreal. It's given up 31 goals in league play, 15 of them coming in its past four games.

Nashville SC at CF Montreal score prediction

Nashville 2, Montreal 1: This is an ideal spot for Nashville to finally win away from Geodis Park in MLS play. NSC scores twice in the first half and holds on despite a second-half push from Montreal.

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC vs. CF Montreal: Score prediction, what to watch for