Autor: Nolan Galbreath

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC was embarrassed last time out, suffering a 5-0 defeat at the hands of LAFC, although fans across middle Tennessee likely need no reminding of the scoreline. Talk of Gary Smith’s ability as the gaffer as well as the lack of squad depth that GM Mike Jacobs and company complied heading into the season is at an all-time high. The good news is that both Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar appear to have fully regained their fitness, but Nashville is still missing one critical man that is hindering Smith’s ability to play his preferred back-four formation — Walker Zimmerman.

While it is comforting to think that Nashville’s defensive woes will be cured upon the captain’s return, that likely won’t be the case. Nashville has been outscored 10-2 over its previous three matches and the return of one player won’t fix numbers like those overnight. Last weekend, Brent Kallman played well all things considered as Zimmerman’s stand-in. Despite the veteran’s performance, Nashville was a disaster across the back with individual errors, unforced turnovers and sloppy play across the board dooming the club before LAFC’s strong performance was even factored into the equation. Not to mention, a red card flashed in the direction of GK Joe Willis in the 62′ minute didn’t help either.

Don’t forget, Nashville SC will be without Zimmerman for much of the summer should he be called up by Greg Berhalter to represent the USMNT at Copa América in June. The squad needs to figure out how to defend without Zimmerman, and doing so before his summer absence is almost a necessity.

While Zimmerman likely remains out, Jacob Shaffelburg and Aníbal Godoy returned to Nashville this past week after international stints with Canada and Panama respectively and will be available for selection.

Nashville must eliminate unforced errors and attack if they want to compete against a side as menacing in possession as Columbus. Counter-attacking has proved successful against the Crew in the past, but given the current form of Nashville’s defense, Smith’s side must play with the ball at its feet and create regular pressure for its opposition — long balls to Surridge and a prayer won’t be enough against a Wilfried Nancy-coached squad.

Nashville has it work cut out for itself against the reigning MLS champions who have picked up where the left off so far in 2024, but within the confines of Gedois Park, the Boys in Gold always have a solid shot at three points.

Scouting Columbus Crew (10 Pnts, 4th in East)

The Crew are coming off a maddening 2-0 defeat that featured some of the most shocking referring and what might be the most chaotic first half in MLS so far this season. From red cards to missed hand balls to overturned goals to suspect penalty decisions, Wilfried Nancy’s group surely felt his side was done wrongly. That being said, the loss was the first for the Crew since its second match of the 2023 playoffs. Since that loss to Atlanta United, Columbus has posted an 8W-1L-2D record, outscored its opponents 20-10 and added a Philip F. Anschutz Trophy to its cabinet.

Cucho has been terrific for Columbus with three goals and one assist through five matches, and to Columbian nearly had his fourth score until it was overturned for offsides. The Canadian Jacen Russell-Rowe has two goals on the year and Aidan Morris is the only other man to find the net for the Crew in 2024, both of whom just returned to Columbus this past week from international duty as well.

Projected Starting XI

Surridge
Boyd | Mukhtar
Lovitz | Godoy | Davis | Moore
Maher | MacNaughton | Bauer
Pannico

Gary Smith likely employs a three-back system once again on Saturday night with Dan Lovitz and Shaq Moore as wing-backs. Aníbal Godoy and Sean Davis roam the middle with with Tyler Boyd and Hany Mukhtar swapping sides when in possession.

Alexy Muyl and Jacob Shaffelburg are likely the first two off the bench.

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC’s 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup run ended in an unflattering fashion Wednesday night as Inter Miami CF topped the Boys in Gold 3-1, winning 5-3 on aggregate.

An interesting formation deployment backfired horribly for Gary Smith’s group in the first half as Miami’s Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi lit up the scoreboard in the 8′ and 23′ minutes, and considering Nashville’s offensive struggles overall, that scoreline proved too much to overcome even before the home side added a third score in the second half.

Nashville was able to threaten at the end of the first half and the opening minutes of the second half but earned nothing to show for it apart from a majestic Dan Lovtiz volley attempt that thundered off the woodwork.

Halftime substitute Sam Surridge was able to get a goal back for Nashville in the 90+3′ minute, but it was far too late for Nashville who return home to host Charlotte FC on Saturday.

Here are three takeaways from the match:

Back Three Disaster

Nashville SC lined up in a 3-5-3 to begin the match with a backline that featured Dan Lovitz as the left center-back, Lukas MacNaughton in the middle and Shaq Moore as the right center-back. Taylor Washington and Alex Muyl lined up as wing-backs on either side of the formation, and Tyler Boyd was forced into false-nine position up top once again as Surridge continues to regain his fitness and was not selected to start the match.

The back three decision with only one true center-back in the mix was a head-scratcher when the lineup dropped an hour before kickoff, and it proved to be a horrific tactical error. Walker Zimmerman is still making his way back from injury and played heavy minutes last week for Nashville, so is absense is understandable. However, the decision to not play CB Jack Maher has gone unexplained to this point.

Suárez, Messi, and Gomez repeatedly tore through the middle of Nashville’s defense with ease, leaving Joe Willis on an island to stop shot after shot. Every time Miami broke, it seemed they were going to score. In addition, Washington and Muyl were non-existent on the wings and were subbed off at halftime in favor of Surridge and Josh Bauer. Nashville then reverted to its usual four-in-the-back system where the club then began to play its way into the match, controlling the ball and earning much better looks on the attack.

Let’s just say I don’t think we will see a backline of made up solely of Lovitz, MacNaughton and Moore anytime soon.

The Two Standouts

It’s easy to say the two best players on the evening for Nashville were the man that scored its only goal and the player credited with the assist, but that’s what we’re going to do here. Sam Surridge entering play at halftime completely transformed Nashville’s offense.

Prior to halftime, Nashville had essentially nothing working in the middle of the pitch. The plan was to send Jacob Shaffelburg and Hany Mukhtar running down the flanks and to get on the end of long balls, and when they did, there was no one to get the ball to in the center.

When Surridge came on, that all changed. Nashville had a presence inside the Miami 18 and began to feed a steady helping of crosses to the Englishman in dangerous areas. Ultimately, it was a ball by Moore who found Surridge for Nashville’s only goal of the contest in the 90+3′ minute.

Moore won 60% of his duels, made eight recoveries, and looked dangerous throughout the match to put together a strong individual performance in what was otherwise another lackluster offensive showing for Nashville.

Finally Some Rest

Perhaps one of few silver linings on the evening is the fact that Nashville will finally get the chance to catch its breath. The club has averaged one match every three days since the beginning of the 2024 season (seven matches over a 21-day span), and during that stretch, Nashville suffered injuries to arguably its three most important players in Mukhtar, Zimmerman and Surridge.

While questions are beginning to swirl regarding Gary Smith’s job security, the true quality of Nashville’s defense and its failure to consistently score, give the squad through next week to recuperate and get healthy as time finally allows it.

Then, we can talk about the dramatics.

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC’s CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign rolls on Thursday night in front of what should be a packed Geodis Park as a few MLS up-and-comers named Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets among the rest of the Inter Miami CF squad travels to the Music City in a rematch of the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

With only four days of rest between the Boys in Gold’s last outing on Saturday night, a 1-1 draw in Colorado featuring a Teal Bunbury finish from the penalty spot, there has not been much time for an injured Nashville squad to heal. Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge have still yet to see action since suffering injuries in the first Champions Cup match of the season, and Nashville’s attack has suffered in MLS play as a result.

However, its stingy defense has secured a point in Nashville’s two matches vs. league opponents this year so far, but will a point be enough to put the club in position to advance to the Third Round with another leg vs. the Herons at Chase Stadium looming large next week?

Below are three things to watch for on Thursday night:

1) Strength vs. Strength

Inter Miami possesses the most talented squad Major League Soccer has ever seen and features an attack far superior than those of most clubs participating in leagues deemed “superior competition” to the top-flight American competition. Through three matches this season (Inter Miami has yet to play a Champions Cup match as it clinched a First Round bye), the side has scored eight goals total. However, early reports suggest the possibility that Messi and Suárez may sit this one out and rest up for Sunday’s bout with C.F. Montreal, opening the door for a still-potent duo of Leo Campana and Robert Taylor to lead the attack.

On the other side of the ball, Nashville SC has become synonymous with elite defense and finished with the fewest goals allowed in MLS in 2023 (32). Through two MLS matches this season, Nashville has surrendered just one goal and seven shots on target. Add the recent returns of a healthy Walker Zimmerman and Dan Lovitz into the mix and the talented group only gets stronger.

Who shows up big and steals the show on Thursday night? The flashy Miami group headlined by Messi, Suárez and Leo Campana, or the stout Nashville backline that quietly gets the job done?

2) A Late Hany Sighting?

Earlier this week, head coach Gary Smith suggested that Hany Mukhtar could potentially return to action on Thursday night. The former MLS MVP has been held out for precautionary reasons since suffering a disastrous injury on Feb. 22 at Moca FC. Mukhtar has rejoined the squad and could potentially see a second-half runout, one that would likely elicit a standing ovation from the Nashville faithful.

It was also reported by Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday that Mukhtar has reached a new deal with the club that would keep him in Nashville until 2027. If that’s the case, it could be a big week for the best player in Nashville SC’s short history.

3) Feed the Forster Frenzy

Forster Ajago made his professional debut in the second leg of Nashville’s First-Round matchup vs. Moca FC, dazzling in doing so. The 22-year-old scored twice and nearly completed his hat trick in the second half. Ajago is not currently eligible to play in MLS competition due to a lack of international roster spots possessed by Nashville, making Thursday one of the seldom occasions in which the Ghanian could earn competitive minutes.

That being said, Inter Miami is a whole different beast compared to Moca FC. Does Ajago’s inexperience keep him out of the Starting XI, or does Gary Smith put his faith in the dynamic young forward over the veteran Teal Bunbury?

Scouting Inter Miami CF (MLS: 7 Pnts, 1st in East)

You know the names — the greatest player in the world, who had 11 goals and five assists to his name in 14 matches across all competitions after joining Inter Miami last season, leads the laundry list of global superstars that will share the pitch with Nashville tomorrow night. Messi is flanked this season by his longtime Barca teammate and Uruguay international, Luis Suárez, who already has two goals and three assists on the season in three appearances. The two combined for four goals last weekend vs. Orlando City SC in the dominate 5-0 thrashing of its Florida rivals.

Per American Soccer Analysis, Messi leads MLS with 1.48 goals added this season. For reference, Nashville’s leading man in the same category is Lukas MacNaughton with 0.31 g+.

Underneath Messi and Suárez are Spanish legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, two former FC Barcelona stalwarts in their own right. Expected to be added to the mix on Thursday is 21-year-old defensive midfielder Federico Redonda, the son of Real Madrid great and Argentina international Fernando Redondo. Redonda was just made eligible to play after acquiring his visa as the “Messi effect” leads to further recruiting to Tata Martino’s group. In addition, USMNT right-back Deandre Yedlin was traded to FC Cincinnati earlier this week, likely foreshadowing an expanded role for MLS veteran Julian Gressel on Thursday night and perhaps another addition it the position in the near future.

Through its three competitive matches thus far in 2024, Inter Miami has outscored its opponents 8-1.

Projected Starting XI

Bunbury
Shaffelburg | Boyd | Yearwood
Godoy | Davis
Lovitz | MacNaughton | Zimmerman | Moore
Willis

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

While the talks around Nashville SC over the past few days have centered around next week’s matchup with Inter Miami CF in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the cost to occupy one of 30,000 18″ plastic seats for 90 minutes that evening, the focus of the squad is squarely set on its matchup with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.

Fresh off a 7-0 thrashing on aggregate of Moca FC, Nashville showed a lively spark on offense that the club will need to carry into its upcoming match, the same spark that never ignited vs. Red Bulls in the MLS opener.

Nashville enters the match as the underdog, according to DraftKings Sportsbook (+215). The Boys in Gold dropped its final four matches on the road to conclude the 2023 season (including playoffs) with its last MLS win away from Geodis Park coming on September 20, 2023 at Sporting Kansas City. In that four-match span, Nashville scored once.

Here are three things to watch for as Nashville takes on Colorado:

1) Zimmerman, Lovitz Return

While Nashville squeaked out a clean sheet vs. Red Bulls in the MLS opener thanks to wonderful play from goalkeeper Joe Willis, the backline wasn’t exactly in top form. However, Walker Zimmerman subbed on late in the match as Gary Smith switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2, and Nashville finally began to play with the ball at its feet. The Nashville captain then started his side’s match vs. Moca FC on Wednesday.

Left-back Dan Lovitz saw his first minutes of 2024 on Wednesday as well, a welcome sight after battling an injury throughout the offseason and throughout preseason as well. Both MLS veterans logged 62 minutes in the match, signaling both can likely play deep into Saturday’s contest, if not its entire duration.

2) Unanswered Questions Up Top

While Nashville’s defense received a recent boost, its offense has yet to be so lucky. Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, and Randall Leal remain doubtful.

However, the breakout performance of 22-year-old striker and Duke University product Forster Ajago provides something for Nashville fans to get excited about on the attacking end in the future. Ajago bagged a brace and nearly earned himself a hat trick, but the Ghanian prospect came up inches short from converting a late penalty for his third goal of the match.

Ajago’s performance only serves to tease the Nashville faithful at the moment as the international player is currently ineligible for MLS competition. Nashville SC is out of international roster spots to award Ajago, and until it acquires another international spot or Ajago receives his green card, he won’t be able to appear in MLS matches.

It begs the question once again – with Teal Bunbury struggling to find the back of the net and few other options at striker for Gary Smith, who will score for Nashville SC? Jacob Shaffelburg? Tyler Boyd? Alex Muyl? Tactical adjustments will need to be made from last weekend to put these players in a position to score as the three combined for only three total shots vs. New York.

3) How Aggressively Does Nashville Play?

Nashville pressed the issue in both legs vs. Moca FC, scoring three and four goals between both matches. Obviously, Moca FC is nowhere near the challenge an MLS opponent presents and Nashville’s strategy will be significantly different against a domestic opponent. Will it open up aggressively and look to control the ball in Colorado, or if it will be content to sit back and defend without its stars up front?

Against Red Bulls, it seemed the trademark Gary Smith philosophy of defend and survive was the first option, but that changed in the second half after Nashville surrendered 62% of the ball and allowed 12 shots in the first 45 minutes of play.

Losing your two best attacking players certainly hampers the match plan, but Nashville looked significantly better in that second half vs. Red Bulls than it did in the first – which will we get to kick off Saturday’s match in Denver?

Scouting the Rapids (0 Pnts, 14th in West)

The Rapids were one of the more intriguing clubs entering 2024. After finishing last in the Western Conference a season ago with only 27 points, the second-fewest in MLS ahead of only Toronto FC, Colorado overhauled its roster in the offseason with the additions of several recognizable names such as the USMNT-capped GK Zack Steffen and LB Sam Vines, MF Lamine Diack on loan from top-flight French side Nantes, and MF Djordje Mihailovic on a club-record deal.

That excitement was extinguished rather quickly in its opening match at Portland Timbers. The Rapids conceded twice within 15 minutes and found themselves down 4-0 at halftime. Calvin Harris got one back for Colorado in the second half, concluding things at 4-1.

MLS had the Rapids ranked 20th in its power rankings heading into the season, then dropped the club to 29th after its disastrous Week 1 performance.

Projected Starting XI

Bunbury
Shaffelburg | Boyd | Muyl
Godoy | Davis
Lovitz | Maher | Zimmerman | Moore
Willis

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Barring a catastrophic collapse on Wednesday night, Nashville SC is expected to cruise to a comfortable victory over Moca FC and advance to the Second Round of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Nashville took care of business in the first leg of the matchup on the road by way of a 3-0 victory. Tonight, it will host the Dominican side at Geodis Park in the midst of a suffocating stretch that sees the Boys in Gold play four matches in 10 days to kick off the new season.

A victory sets up a rematch of the 2023 Leagues Cup final in the next round for Nashville vs. Inter Miami CF. Leo Messi’s Miami squad received a First Round bye as it was awarded the tournament’s third seed due to club rankings.

Here are three things to watch for during Wednesday’s match vs. Moca FC:

1) Commanding Victory

If there’s one thing Nashville fans want to see after its lackadaisical outing vs. Red Bulls last weekend, it’s a bounce-back performance in which Nashville gives nothing away. Not only would it be ideal, it’s expected.

Nashville comes in -20000 to win the match outright per DraftKings Sportsbook. In the first match between the two sides, Nashville controlled nearly 60% of the possession and peppered the goal with seven shots on target. Moca FC managed to steer one attempt on frame. Similarly, Nashville tallied 31 touches inside its opponents’ box while Moca managed only three.

Regardless of the lineup Gary Smith opts to deploy, the stats and scoreline should not be close when the full-time whistle blows.

2) Rotate the Squad

Again, Nashville finds itself in the middle of an exhausting run of matches to open the 2024 campaign. Expect Smith to heavily rotate the squad on Wednesday night and feature both young players and new signings.

With MLS threatening to pull out of the U.S. Open Cup, the tournament in which clubs regularly give their developing players competitive minutes, the Champions Cup could be one of the few opportunities for the likes of Amar Sejdić or Josh Bauer to crack the Starting XI.

3) Keep it Simple

Nashville SC is expected to win easily due to its massive talent advantage over Moca FC across the board. While it does hold a tactical advantage over the visitors as well, the talent disparity alone should be enough for Nashville to secure the victory. Don’t expect Gary Smith to run out with any out-of-character formation (besides maybe a 4-3-3 due to lack of depth up top at the moment with injuries to Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge) or the late substituting of key players.

The goal of this match is to get in and get out with an easy win, then shift sights ahead to Saturday when Nashville heads to Denver to take on the Colorado Rapids. Wednesday night’s win likely won’t be flashy, but it should be efficient.

Projected Starting XI

Bunbury
Shaffelburg | Muyl | M. Gaines
Sejdić | Anunga
Washington | Maher | Bauer | J. Gaines
Panicco

Up top, Teal Bunbury will likely see another start. There’s a good chance that Nashville GM Mike Jacobs, privy to the severity of Surridge’s injury, is making calls left and right to bring in another option at the striker position. But until then, the club is left without many options, the first of which is the 33-year-old veteran.

Nashville could easily line up in the aforementioned 4-3-3 formation in which Sejdić, Muyl, and Anunga share the middle plane, but of those three, Muyl is the most likely to advance higher up the pitch regularly and nestle between Shaffelburg and Gaines.

Across the back, we see Taylor Washington return on the left while Dan Lovitz remains sidelined with Jack Maher and Josh Bauer in the middle. There’s a chance Brett Kallman gets the nod over Maher, but a steady presence and veteran of the system at center-back goes a long way in coordinating a unified defense. Bauer makes his first start of the year at the neighboring CB spot while the 21-year-old Julian Gaines makes his Nashville debut at right-back, giving Shaq Moore an extra few days to recover.