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Nashville SC Looking to Turn the Page on Tough Draw with Strong Effort in Atlanta

May 3, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - The past week for Nashville Soccer Club has been one of hard lessons learned.

The Boys in Gold played a solid 85 minutes against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last Saturday, but the final five minutes saw a steep drop in quality that allowed the Riverhounds to score two quick goals and turn a 2-0 Nashville lead into a 2-2 draw.

The players have had six days to reflect and think about why it happened, and there would be no better way to get over the outing in Pittsburgh than getting three points in Kennesaw against Atlanta United 2 this Saturday night.

"It's a learning moment for us," defender Ken Tribbett said. "It's definitely mentality. You've got to see the game out. Hopefully we learned our lesson, I know I have. As a group, we've sat down, we've watched it, so we should be good from now."

For Head Coach Gary Smith, the draw that felt like a loss was a good chance to reassess where his team stands during a long stretch of road matches and how he can fix issues the plague the team, particularly on defense. The normally astute backline has conceded five goals in two matches.

"We always knew five out of six games away from home weren't going to be easy," Smith said. "I'm looking at what we've been able to achieve, what form are we showing, where are the guys at, are we moving forward, are we getting the balance right? It has to be said at the moment that we're uncharacteristically conceding goals. It's not something I've seen too often with this group. I genuinely can't put it down to any lack of endeavor or focus from the group.

"We look through some of the facts of the last two games: in the last two games, there have been 10 shots at our goal, four of them on target, in two away games against two very good teams, and I think if you had said to me beforehand you're going to average two shots on target a game for the next two away games, I would have bitten your arm off at your elbow. That would have told me we were going to be doing a pretty decent job. But to concede five goals with four shots, of course the goal at the end was an own goal, is certainly for me looking at it from a coaching standpoint, a bit of a conundrum."

Despite the recent outings defensively, Smith is satisfied with the response he's seen out of the group. He is also quick to point out all of the positive aspects that the squad has produced over the last two matches, particularly in the first 85 minutes against Pittsburgh.

"What I'm seeing is that the fellas are getting to work, they're taking up all their tasks whatever that may be, they're making life difficult, we're getting our own efforts at goal, positives that are coming out of it, our set plays are looking that much better," Smith said. "In terms of individuals that have stuck out and done well, I thought Kharlton Belmar was wonderful up front the other night, Bradley [Bourgeois] has come into the group and performed brilliantly after being out of the side for four or five games. So there's loads and loads of positives. What we certainly have to consider and are constantly looking at is why we've conceded five goals. That affects some of the other things that are going on."

Now, Smith turns his attention to Atlanta United 2, a youthful and energetic side that can press high up the pitch. That type of pressing style can present defensive challenges, but also leave room in the attacking third for maneuvering and open opportunities on goal.

While last week's match was a war of attrition between disciplined sides, this one could be a more run-and-gun, high-octane affair.

"I would expect a really good game," Smith said. "Good footballing game, plenty of opportunities, if they've looked at our last two games they'll feel as though we're ready to concede goals, but I think what we have done is we've proved that were much much more of a goal threat than we were last year, so for us it's getting the right balance. For them, it will be likewise. If they leave themselves too vulnerable, it will be a little bit like two fighters with a good punch, don't leave your chin open. Otherwise, you might not see the end of the fight."

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM CT on Saturday night from Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. Stream the match on ESPN+ and be sure to follow along on all Nashville SC social media channels for live coverage.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2019


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