Nashville SC at Colorado Rapids: Score prediction for first MLS road game of 2024 season

Lionel Messi will have to wait.

Before Nashville SC hosts Messi's Inter Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 on Thursday, it has its first road test of the 2024 Major League Soccer season when it takes on the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday (8:30 p.m. CT, Apple TV).

Nashville opened its fifth season in MLS with a 0-0 tie against the New York Red Bulls at Geodis Park on Feb. 25.

Here's our score prediction and what to watch for from Commerce City:

Colorado made big moves in offseason

The Rapids aren't the same team that had 27 points and finished last in the Western Conference in 2023. At least that's the expectation after they made a slew of high-profile signings this winter.

Colorado added a trio of United States national team members: midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, defender Sam Vines and goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The Rapids spent a club-record fee of more than $3 million to acquire Mihailovic, who played for the Chicago Fire and CF Montreal and spent last season with AZ Alkmaar. Vines is a former Rapids homegrown player who signed with Royal Antwerp in 2021. Steffen played for the Columbus Crew until Manchester City signed him in 2018, and he played last season on loan for Middlesbrough.

In addition, Colorado has a new coach, former U.S. international Chris Armas. He previously led the Red Bulls (2018-20) and Toronto FC (2021), and has been an assistant at Manchester United and Leeds United in recent seasons.

Rapids are coming off season-opening blowout

Colorado scored 21 goals across six preseason games, including a 6-2 win over Montreal. But the Rapids couldn't carry that momentum into their first official game, a 4-1 loss to the Portland Timbers. Though Colorado had the advantage in total shots and possession, Portland scored on all three of its shots on goal, and Vines' own goal made it 4-0 before halftime.

Nashville coach Gary Smith watched the game and came away impressed by the Timbers' performance, which he called "clinical" and "cutting edge." In Smith's opinion, it's easier for teams to bounce back from defeat the earlier it is in the season, which could be compounded by the Rapids playing their first game at home and the fashion in which they lost last week.

"In some ways, it maybe is not a good time to play Colorado at home," Smith said.

Where does Nashville's attack come from?

After Nashville's 4-0 win over Moca FC Wednesday in the second leg of its first-round CCC series, Smith said his only concern is with the team's forwards.

It's due more to lack of availability than lack of production. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge have missed Nashville's past two games after picking up injuries in the first leg at Moca, while Tyler Boyd took what Smith called a "knock" against RBNY and didn't play Wednesday. Randall Leal remains out with a hamstring issue. Forster Ajago was sensational in his professional debut but is ineligible for MLS play as Nashville doesn't have an international roster slot available for him.

If one, two or all of Mukhtar, Surridge and Boyd can't go against the Rapids, who steps up? Wingers McKinze Gaines and Jacob Shaffelburg scored Wednesday, and Smith praised midfielder Alex Muyl's performance in a more advanced attacking role. Muyl had an assist and a long shot that forced a rebound, which Ajago tapped in for a goal.

"Alex is capable of playing in that role," Smith said. " . . . He was disappointed he didn't get on the scoresheet."

MORE: Nashville SC hopes Walker Zimmerman, its 'Hercules' on defense, can stay healthy

Nashville vs. Colorado score prediction

Nashville 2, Colorado 1: With the status of multiple key players in question for Nashville, it's hard to offer only one prediction. But the Rapids didn't look much improved, if at all, in their season opener.

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 score prediction, scouting report vs. Colorado Rapids