As Hany Mukhtar goes, so does Nashville SC.
The reigning MLS MVP and Golden Boot Award winner leads the league with 13 goals, but he has been held scoreless for the past five matches.
Mukhtar likely will need to put an end to that streak if Nashville (11-7-5, 38 points) is to have a chance Saturday night at league-leading FC Cincinnati (14-2-6, 48 points).
Nashville has lost four of its past five matches and has been shut out in each of the defeats following a 10-match unbeaten streak (7-0-3).
"We just haven't been able to be clinical in front of goal," Nashville midfielder Dax McCarty said. "We've seen (finishing ability) in the past with Hany. But (when) he's not able to be that catalyst for us, we have to have other guys step up. That's just the reality of a long season."
Nashville will be shorthanded Saturday after defenders Daniel Lovitz and Shaquell Moore received red cards in a 2-0 home loss Wednesday against Philadelphia. That could hurt goalkeeper Joe Willis, who leads the league with a 0.83 goals-against average. Plus, Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy remains on international duty at the Gold Cup.
Cincinnati is undefeated at home this season (10-0-1) and has scored in its past 27 matches at TQL Stadium, the longest active streak in the league.
The Orange and Blue are coming off a 2-1 victory against the host New York Red Bulls as Luciano Acosta scored on a penalty kick in the 80th minute and Obinna Nwobodo tallied three minutes into stoppage time.
"There is going to be an opportunity with Nashville," Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "We're at home against a good team and in a key matchup, so regardless of who they have on the field, I like to think our guys are gonna be up for this game."
Cincinnati earned its first win in five all-time matches against host Nashville on March 25, with Brandon Vazquez scoring in a 1-0 decision. Vazquez is back with the club after playing for the U.S. in the Gold Cup.
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