NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club is back at Nissan Stadium this week for back-to-back matches, starting this Wednesday night against D.C. United.
The Boys in Gold will look to extend a three-match unbeaten run at home dating back to August. Their first chance to do so comes against D.C. on Wednesday, followed by a matinee with the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Here’s what to watch for in Wednesday night’s clash.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: Nissan Stadium
TV: MyTV30
In-Market Stream: YouTube TV, AT&T TV, NashvilleSC.com/stream
Out-of-Market Stream: ESPN+
English Radio: ESPN 94.9
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7
Broadcast FAQs
Home Energy - Nashville SC has yet to lose since the Major League Soccer regular season restarted in August. Whether it’s the lack of travel on home matchdays or the familiarity of the surroundings and the pitch, the Boys in Gold seem to get a boost of energy with each home match and are on a three-game unbeaten run.
Head Coach Gary Smith says he hopes that continues this Wednesday.
“It's very, very important that not only do we have enough energy on the field, but our attitude is positive enough,” Smith said. “Our home ground has been good to us so far. I think our attitude personally has reinforced what we would like to be a tough place to play. And my hope is the team I put out has got enough tempo and passion about them to get back onto a winning track on Wednesday night. It won't be easy, but as I said, it's been a good place to play. And my hope is that confidence from being back at home helps us get the result we're after.”
Play Through It - As with every team in MLS, Nashville SC is dealing with the effects of a condensed regular season schedule. Tired legs play two matches within days, injuries test the team’s depth and recovery in training is more important than ever.
Smith says he’s been happy thus far about how his team has responded to all of the adversity with the schedule this season.
“We're probably no different to anyone else,” Smith said. “We've got bodies that are sore, in some cases banged up a little bit, but I think the guys are getting used to the fact that they're feeling the difficulties and pains that they are in, and they're getting on with it. I'm ultra pleased about their attitude and their application in the difficult circumstances.”
Sizing Up DC - D.C. United is a team that is slowly but surely finding its footing this season after injuries sidelined key players such as midfielder Paul Arriola before the season even began. The team only has one win since the end of the MLS is Back Tournament, but it is coming off of a confidence-boosting draw against Toronto FC.
Smith says he is prepared for a stiff test from D.C.
“I think the very minimum you get from D.C. United teams are very tough games,” Smith said. “They’re competitive as they come. I think they've been rocked by injuries to a couple of important players, with Arriola obviously being at the top of that list. They've made a couple of signings that I think have helped them, but they're obviously in a bit of an up-and-down form. And I'm sure they're coming to our place thinking if they can get a result, then it gets them on their way again, starts off a bit of an unbeaten run for them, and puts a bit of a pin in some of our aspirations as well.”
