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USL Nashville SC

A Night to Remember: Nashville Soccer Club Makes History with Win over Indy Eleven at Nissan Stadium

July 29, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - In its third match in club history at Nissan Stadium, Nashville Soccer Club made its future temporary MLS house feel more like a home on Saturday night with a 2-0 victory over Indy Eleven.

Last season, Nashville SC played to two nil-nil draws at Nissan Stadium. This time around, with the move to MLS looming in 2020, the Boys in Gold stepped up to the plate to deliver a fantastic show for the 13,000+ in attendance.

"The guys raised their game today," Head Coach Gary Smith said. "And there's always that concern. You're never quite sure emotionally how people will deal with a big occasion, and it is a big occasion coming here. It's very different to the normal home games we play, and there's an attachment to MLS. As much as you might want to say it's a USL game, we're playing here next year. Those guys that are on the field, no doubt in the back of their mind felt this was a bit of a dress rehearsal, and that can affect people in different ways. You can focus and be strong and go and attack the game and get the most out of it, or you can end up being a bit of a shrinking violet and the game passes you by. I have to say form the very outset, the players showed the mentality that was necessary to win the game. We were never going to outplay this team for 90 minutes. I felt there were some great portions of play, I saw wonderful creation, some terrific individual displays, and when we needed to, we showed the type of unity, determination and overall structure that's necessary to do well at the top of any division."

Daniel Ríos, the first player signed to an MLS contract for Nashville, got the scoring started with a well-worked combination with Michael Reed that led to a pinpoint shot and goal midway through the first half. Late in the first half, Alan Winn received a wonderful long ball from Lebo Moloto, weaved his way through the defense and fired home a shot to the near side.

With the great crowd on hand at the club's future temporary MLS home, Winn felt an extra bit of wind at his back as he made the plays needed to earn the win.

"I mean it's exciting," Winn said. "Playing in front of a crowd like that, you get hyped up a little more. If there's four people or if there's 13,000, you want to have the same mentality, but it does give a little motivation. It's crazy to see how Nashville's grown and how committed they are to soccer in these past two years. We're trying out and we're hoping to make it because it's a beautiful thing to see."

Saturday night's match was also the debut for Forrest Lasso, who started on defense after being acquired on loan from FC Cincinnati last week. Lasso linked up well with fellow centerback Jimmy Ockford, as the two loanees combined for nine clearances throughout the match.

He was thrilled to be a part of such a momentous occasion for his new club.

"Oh, it feels great," Lasso said. "When you get three points, even when you play poorly, you get three points you feel good. To be able to perform like we did and get the clean sheet, I mean. That's like Christmas, that's like the best gift you can ask for. Obviously, [we've] got a lot more work ahead and a lot more chemistry to kind of iron out, but I mean that's what we're here for. As defenders, our job is to get clean sheets and do our job on the defensive side, and we did that tonight."

The crowd of 13,047 in attendance was the fifth-highest in the USL Championship this season and created a loud atmosphere for the players on the pitch. The supporters section was packed and loud throughout the match. Both the atmosphere and the play on the field demonstrated the special bond between the fans and the players that has propelled the club forward since it began play in the professional ranks last season.

"Fabulous," Smith said. "It's a wonderful stadium. To see the fans come out the way they have and support the group, I actually thought the atmosphere was terrific. I think I said at the very outset of the group coming together some 18 months ago: this is a reciprocal relationship. We have to perform, and I think the fans are in good enough voice to get behind us and give us that extra bit of momentum. There's a wonderful relationship between the group and the fans. I think you've seen that again tonight."

Nashville SC takes the pitch again on the road this Saturday against Swope Park Rangers before returning home to face Hartford Athletic on Wednesday, August 7. Tickets are available here.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 29, 2019


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