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USL Nashville SC

2019 Nashville SC Positional Preview: Midfielders

February 15, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Of all of the additions to Nashville Soccer Club's roster this offseason, one area left untouched was the midfield. The midfield last season brought some of the best moments of the season including Lebo Moloto's SportsCenter Top Play goal, Michael Reed's hat trick of assists in one game, and Bolu Akinyode's game-tying screamer in the final minute against FC Cincinnati.

Those who might have missed our previous positional previews can find those here.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Position in Review

While Nashville's midfield may not have garnered the headlines that the defense did throughout the 2018 USL season, it wasn't for lack of results or skill. The main quartet of central midfielders, Matt LaGrassa, Akinyode, Reed and Moloto were all mainstays in the lineup throughout the season, at least until Moloto's season-ending injury. All four were productive offensively for the club as Moloto and Reed both dished out five assists, tied for the most in USL games last season. Moloto also added seven goals while LaGrassa chipped in with four. While Akinyode's role was more defensive, his aforementioned tying goal to earn Nashville a point against the league's regular season champs, was likely the goal of the season for NSC.

Due to late season injuries to Moloto and Reed, rookie Ramone Howell entered the fold for the two most critical games of the season for Nashville SC, both against FC Cincinnati. Howell came on as a substitute in his first two professional appearances, and looked right at home despite the lack of experience.

2019 Midfielders

#7 Ramone Howell

#10 Lebo Moloto

#17 Michael Reed

#20 Matt LaGrassa

#30 Bolu Akinyode

The five midfielders to play in USL games for Nashville SC in 2018 are all back in 2019 with no new players added to the position. That doesn't mean the position can't get stronger, however. One immediate impact will be a healthy Lebo Moloto. Moloto, a key cog as the No. 10 in Nashville's lineup in 2018, missed the final six games of the season. His absence was felt came at an inopportune time, just when Nashville started to find its scoring touch. He returns healthy and has featured for Nashville SC in its first two preseason friendlies.

Another "addition" might just be Howell. The man known as "Teacha" opened some eyes at the end of 2018, and now will look to break in more regularly in 2019. Five healthy, productive, first team midfielders will equip head coach Gary Smith to be able to mix and match based off matchups and form. All are versatile and capable and will benefit from a hefty offensive arsenal in front and strong defense behind in 2019.

Gary Smith's Thoughts on the Position

"If we play with a front midfield pair, it will certainly affect how many of those midfield players can be on the field, those central midfield players. We've got the three main guys from last year that took up the majority of the game in Bolu, Matt and Michael. We've got individuals like Ramone who can play those positions, but like every area of the field, those guys are battling it out for the starting lineup for every game of the season. Everyone wants to make a good impression, but with a month to go, there will be an awful lot that goes on, whether that be in match form, consistency in their game, and of course those guys that make a difference, scoring goals, creating goals. I want to see the guys on the field that are going to make a difference come the opening game."

What to Watch for in Preseason

While other positions might have more intriguing storylines during the preseason, Smith brings up an interesting one for the midfield. It could be less about personnel and more about sheer numbers. Last year's NSC team routinely lineup up with four midfielders on the field the majority of the time. Offensive additions could mean different formations in 2019 which in turn could affect how many midfielders are on the field.

One more storyline could be if the midfield is lined up for even more offensive production in the assists department. As a group, the midfield accumulated 11 assists last season, four coming in Nashville SC's 4-0 rout of Richmond. However, assists and goals are often times a chicken and egg proposition. Assists create goals, but finishing creates assists. With new offensive weapons in Ríos, Lancaster and Belmar, and returning weapons in Winn, Mensah and Hume, the midfield could rack up the assists in 2019.

Upcoming Previews

Stay tuned for the preview on the forwards in a couple of weeks prior to the first week of the regular season.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 15, 2019


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