After a landmark 2021 season, Nashville are returned to prove they can be a steady force in Major League Soccer.
Gary Smith's side had simply enough superstar exceptional alongside their exceptional shielding grit to finish 0.33 in the East, going as some distance as the Conference finals inside the Playoffs.
This year, they shift throughout to the West and play their first seven video games far from domestic as they look ahead to the opening of a splendid new stadium. Challenges are aplenty.
So, here's everything you want to know about Nashville SC in advance of the new MLS season, inclusive of methods, key gamers, and predictions.
Things that often appear to be cliches are such for a cause - they're generally real. In Nashville's case, it's that in case you preserve a strong domestic file and have proper shielding basics, you'll go a long way in soccer.
Though they had been criticized for drawing 18 in their 34 everyday-season video games closing yr, Nashville did notably well to lose just four instances, while retaining an unbeaten report at Nissan Stadium.
No side in MLS bettered their record of just 33 desires conceded, and that capability to dangle in video games afforded the likes of Hany Mukhtar and CJ Sapong the hazard to go steal 3 points at the other quit.
Gary Smith's men capitalized on their domestic form to conquer Orlando City in Round One of the Playoffs, then took the Philadelphia Union all of the manner to penalties earlier than inexplicably losing the shootout 2-zero.
The lack of Alistair Johnston is a massive one, and allowing Dylan Nealis to additionally leave is risky. Nashville are now desperately brief on the proper of protection and could enter the season with a big hole there if they don't make moves soon.
Still, given the achievement Nashville have enjoyed so far, don't be surprised to see Smith roll out the three-five-2 system, with wing-backs supplying width, Mukhtar developing chaos up-front with Sapong, and an almost unbreakable wall of protection via the center.
