
Nashville SC Hosting First-Ever Playoff Match at GEODIS Park in Must-Win Game 2
November 6, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville SC's run in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs continues Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. CT when the Eastern Conference's seventh-seeded Boys in Gold host second-seeded Orlando City SC at GEODIS Park for Game 2 of the Best-of-3 Round One Series in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by Vanderbilt Health. Nashville SC must win Game 2 to force the series to a decisive Game 3 after falling 1-0 in Game 1 at Orlando's Exploria Stadium.
Tuesday's match will mark another piece of Nashville SC history as the first MLS Cup Playoff game ever hosted at GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada that opened its doors on May 1, 2022 to a sellout crowd of 30,109 supporters.
Limited tickets for Game 2 are still available and can be purchased here.
To help commemorate this newest chapter in Nashville's soccer history, Music City's iconic Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge will be lit in Nashville SC's signature Acoustic Blue and Electric Gold colors in a show of the city's support for the home team. Fans are also encouraged to wear Electric Gold gear as Nashville SC continues its search For the Gold in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Game 2 is win-or-go-home for the Tennessee side, and the Boys in Gold have historically been clutch in must-win, knockout-style matches. Nashville SC is undefeated in Knockout stage matches at home across all competitions (Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs) with a 7W-0L-2D record that includes victories in four-straight must-win matches earlier this year before drawing against Inter Miami CF in the 2023 Leagues Cup Final.
When the Boys in Gold take the pitch Tuesday, the club will have a wealth of MLS Playoff and knockout-style match experience in the lineup and on the roster. Nashville SC boasts four players who have started all seven of the club's MLS Playoff matches: Dan Lovitz, Hany Mukhtar, Joe Willis and Walker Zimmerman. Though he has not started all seven matches, midfielder Tah Brian Anunga has also played in all of the club's postseason contests.
Additionally, veteran Midfielder Dax McCarty sits atop the league leaderboard with 2,544 minutes played in MLS Playoff matches among active players. McCarty is second among active players in both MLS Playoff appearances (29) and MLS Playoff starts (27), tied with New England Revolution's Omar Gonzalez.
Earlier today, Head Coach Gary Smith and midfielder Dax McCarty discussed the importance of harnessing a homefield advantage and bringing passion to the pitch in Game 2 in front of the home supporters. Smith then emphasized his confidence in Nashville SC's ability to win at home and force Game 3. McCarty addressed the must-win scenario the Boys in Gold are in, and his expectations for a high turnout at GEODIS Park to witness the newest installment of Nashville SC's ongoing rivalry with Orlando City SC.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
- Television: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Radio: 104.5 The Zone, Sirius XM
Major League Soccer Stories from November 6, 2023
- Academy Update: October 2023 Players of the Month - Inter Miami CF
- Portland Timbers Name Phil Neville as Head Coach - Portland Timbers
- Nashville SC Hosting First-Ever Playoff Match at GEODIS Park in Must-Win Game 2 - Nashville SC
- Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew in Game 2 of Round One, Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs - Atlanta United FC
- Important Off-Season Dates for Charlotte FC - Charlotte FC
- The Assist: Orlando City SC at Nashville SC - November 7, 2023 - Orlando City SC
- Last Chance of 2023 to See Inter Miami CF as the Club Plays New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium - Inter Miami CF
- Atlanta United Midfielder Thiago Almada Named 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year - Atlanta United FC
- Atlanta United Midfielder Thiago Almada Named MLS Young Player of the Year - MLS
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.
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