WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After opening its 2024 preseason campaign with a draw vs. St. Louis just days ago, Nashville SC earned its first win of the year vs. Sporting Kansas City by way of a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.
For the second consecutive match, several of Gary Smith’s MLS stars including Hany Mukhtar, Walker Zimmerman, and Dan Lovitz did not receive minutes.
Below is the Starting XI from the match, a group consisting of three changes from the preseason opener.
Surridge
Shaffelburg | Boyd | Gaines
Yearwood | Anunga
Washington | Maher | MacNaughton | Moore
Willis
Tuesday’s lineup differences included McKenzie Gaines, an offseason acquisition that accounted for Nashville’s second goal in the previous content, replacing Randal Leal, Dru Yearwood in Sean Davis’ stead, and Shaq Moore receiving his first preseason action in place of Alex Muyl.
At halftime, Gary Smith subbed Sean Davis on for Yearwood and made another wholesale swap later in the half, one that provided Aníbal Godoy with his first preseason minutes in 2024.
Once again, Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the first half, just as the 24-year-old did in his last outing. McKenzie Gaines was credited with the assist on the play, his second goal contribution of the preseason after scoring in his first match to boot.
Tyler Boyd accounted for what would prove to be the match-winner in the second half, his second goal contribution as well.
Although Nashville’s target forward Sam Surridge has not scored through two matches, Gary Smith’s attacking trio of Shaffelburg, Boyd, and Gaines who sit just below the Englishman appear to be firing on all cylinders through limited action, accounting for all four of Nashville’s preseason goals to date and supplying the final pass on two of them.
Nashville’s final preseason match away from home will be played on Friday vs. Toronto FC.
| Player | Goals | Assists |
| Jacob Shaffelburg | 2 | – |
| Tyler Boyd | 1 | 1 |
| McKenzie Gaines | 1 | 1 |
Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC
