Surging Nashville SC are getting even stronger heading into their match at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.

Already boasting four wins and two ties in their past six MLS matches, Nashville (8-4-3, 27 points) welcomed back standout defender Walker Zimmerman for the final 17 minutes during its 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday.

The two-time MLS Defender of the Year (2020, 2021) sustained a concussion against Charlotte FC on April 5.

“He’s your team captain so it’s an uplift for everybody,” Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said. “Even though he hasn’t been on the field, he’s been in the facility. His presence is always there. His leadership has always been there, but yeah, when he steps back on the field the group gets a lift.”

The Crew (7-2-6, 27 points) are the team facing health concerns now.

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who was named to the 27-player U.S. national team roster for June friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, suffered an oblique injury warming up before the match at Charlotte on Saturday. Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said Tuesday that he will miss two to six weeks.

Backup Nicholas Hagen made eight saves in the 3-2 defeat.

On a positive note, 2024 MLS Defender of the Year Steven Moreira should be available after leaving the Charlotte match early with a foot injury.

The Crew are winless in the past four matches (0-1-3) and proved vulnerable on the counter against Charlotte. It’s part of their high-risk, high-reward attack.

“I think that’s a consequence of pushing the game and trying to be on the front foot all the time, which is positive, which is why we’ve been a successful team,” Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe said.

Callaghan is unsure if Zimmerman will get the start Wednesday. Nashville has allowed only six goals in the past six matches.

“I have some very tough decisions,” Callaghan said. “The center backs have been playing very well. The backline has been playing really well. We’ll see how everybody recovers and put the best team out there against Columbus.”

–Field Level Media