Nashville SC
Where: Nashville, TN
Stadium: First Tennessee Park / Nissan Stadium
Capacity: 8,500 / 69,143
Last Year: 8-4-2 (3rd South Atlantic Division, PDL)
Average Attendance: *shrug*
Hardware: None
2017 U.S. Open Cup: N/A
Supporters: The Roadies, The Assembly, Eastern Front, Music City Supporters
Nashville SC joins the USL with one foot already out the door after being awarded a spot in the MLS back in December. Since they’ll only be around for at minimum 1 season, and at most probably 3, I find it really hard to give a damn about the club. Why get worked up over renters? That said I guess I have to talk about them a little.
Nashville is another team calling a baseball stadium home, though they have moved the home opener against the Riverhounds to Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. I could see if interest remains high because of their inevitable upward move that at some point they’ll say screw it and play all their games at the larger venue. I base this on absolutely nothing. I’d say they probably have a better chance of filling an NFL stadium, unlike say Indy Eleven. I mean, they did just announce they’ve sold 15,000 for the opener.
Nashville signed a bunch of guys, but who cares about them. What’s interesting for us is two former Hounds are on the roster. After a couple seasons playing for Swope Park Rangers, Lebo Moloto returns to the Eastern Conference to head up Nashville’s midfield. We know Moloto can be creative and dangerous, and from what I’ve heard he’s improved since we last saw him at Highmark. Lilley will want to make a point to shut him down on the 24th. In addition to Moloto, fan favorite Taylor Washington has found a home on Nashville’s roster. It seems he’s expected to start out as bench depth, but as we know he has a lot of energy and could be a game changer coming on late.
Nashville is another club that should become a big rival to the Midwest teams, albeit a short lived one. Just like with Indy, Louisville and Cincinnati will probably gnash their teeth at them the most. Louisville will get their first chance to do so this weekend. Nashville will try to take the league by storm just like Orlando did so that they can keep their MLS season ticket deposits up. Nothing would give me more joy than if they end up being absolute crap.
Finally, how bonkers is it that a club that has barely lost it’s new team smell already has four supporter groups? It’s almost Cincinnati level of silliness. Don’t trip over yourselves too hard on your way to MLS guys.
The Hounds look to ruin Nashville’s home opener when they kick off their season on the 24th. We’re having a watch party at Smokin’ Joes in the South Side to celebrate. Join us at 5 pm, kick off at 6.
#UNLEASH
