GEODIS Preview: Nashville SC Hosts LAFC in Sunday Night Showdown at GEODIS Park
July 16, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release
This is a matchup you won't want to miss.
Nashville SC (8W-6L-6D, 30 pts.) plays host to Los Angeles Football Club (12W-4L-3D, 39 pts.) for the first time in its history on Sunday night at GEODIS Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
The Boys in Gold moved into third place in the Western Conference with a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday night. MVP candidate and Major League Soccer All-Star Hany Mukhtar scored his 11th league goal of 2022 in the win, putting the German midfielder into a tie for second place in the Golden Boot race.
Home matches have been key to Nashville SC's success over the last few years, as Nashville SC has earned results in 35 of 38 matches played in Nashville in MLS, including playoffs.
Sunday will mark the first time back-to-back MLS Defender of the Year and 2022 MLS All-Star Walker Zimmerman will face off against his former club. LAFC traded Zimmerman to Nashville in February 2020. The match could also mark the debut of LAFC's two new star signings in attacker Gareth Bale and center back Giorgio Chiellini, who were recently signed from Europe.
Following the match, Nashville SC's first-ever Special Olympics Unified Team will take the pitch for the first time in a Blue vs. Gold match. Stick around to support the athletes in the match. Learn more about the Unified Team.
Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's Western Conference tilt:
Date: Sunday, July 17
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tenn.)
TV: MyTV30
Local Stream: NashvilleSC.com/stream, Nashville SC App
English Radio: iHeartRadio Online, Nashville SC App
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7 FM
Hanging With The Best - Nashville SC completed a season sweep of the reigning Concacaf Champions League winners with its victory over Seattle this week. The team also did so while outshooting Seattle 12-9.
Head Coach Gary Smith said the win showed the strength of his group going up against one of the league's perennial powers.
"I think it tells you the sort of fortitude that this group has, the internal fiber that it takes," Smith said. "Four days removed from a difficult away result, they turned themselves around and dusted themselves off. Not only did they put on a very positive and aggressive display, but I thought there were many periods in the game that were managed really well. You can start to see some of the growth of the group, some of the experience starting to show in the group."
Rounding Into Home Form - Wednesday's win was Nashville's fourth win across all competitions at GEODIS Park, giving the team an overall 4W-1L-4D record at the new venue so far this season.
Midfielder Hany Mukhtar, who became the first player in club history to score in four consecutive MLS matches, said the team has high expectations for the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada.
"We have a new stadium, we have a fantastic stadium," Mukhtar said. "It's not always easy to build your culture in your stadium because you already have expectations. We earn that expectation, which is a good thing, but also on the other hand we have to play really well."
Scouting LAFC - LAFC could be coming to Music City with a few fresh faces in European stars Bale and Chiellni. Bale has been training with the team this week, while Chiellini was an unused substitute last Friday for the Black and Gold.
The visitors come to Music City after an emphatic 3-2 win over cross-town rivals LA Galaxy last Friday night. The team currently sits in second in the Western Conference, just one point behind Supporters' Shield leaders Austin FC.
Leading the charge in attack for Los Angeles is Cristian Arango, who has seven goals on the season. Not far behind is Mexican international Carlos Vela with six goals.
Three of LAFC's four losses this season have come on the road, including its most recent defeat at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 2.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from July 16, 2022
- Full Time: Second Half Collapse Teaches Charlotte FC Brutal Lesson - Charlotte FC
- Reynoso Leads Loons to 2-0 Win over Dc United - Minnesota United FC
- Revolution Fall on Road to Philadelphia Union, 2-1 - New England Revolution
- Chicago Fire FC Notches Second Consecutive Win with 1-0 Victory over Seattle Sounders FC at Home on Saturday Night - Chicago Fire FC
- CF Montréal Blank Toronto FC 1-0 - Club de Foot Montreal
- CF MONTRÉAL (1) - TORONTO FC (0) POST GAME SUMMARY - Toronto FC
- Union Remain Undefeated at Subaru Park; Gazdag Scores Ninth Goal of the Season - Philadelphia Union
- Red Bulls Return to Red Bull Arena on Sunday Afternoon for Nationally Televised Match against New York City FC - New York Red Bulls
- Inter Miami CF and Fernet Branca Unveils Heartbeat Cocktail - Inter Miami CF
- MLS Statement on Ernst Tanner - MLS
- LAFC Travels to Face Nashville SC on Sunday, July 17 at GEODIS Park - Los Angeles FC
- Houston Dynamo FC Close Two-Game Road Trip on Sunday - Houston Dynamo FC
- GEODIS Preview: Nashville SC Hosts LAFC in Sunday Night Showdown at GEODIS Park - Nashville SC
- Orlando City Travels to Atlanta for Final 2022 Heineken Rivalry Week Matchup - Orlando City SC
- Zardes Faces Hometown Club as Rapids Host LA Galaxy on Saturday - Colorado Rapids
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC - Atlanta United FC
- Injury Report: Two Out, Three Questionable vs. Red Bulls - New York City FC
- D.C. United Acquire Loudoun United FC Midfielder Abdoul Zanne on Loan - D.C. United
- FC Cincinnati Travel to Face the Columbus Crew for Hell Is Real Derby - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
