USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Looks for Season Sweep of Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday

September 25, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Three points and a three-game season sweep of Atlanta United 2 could be waiting for Nashville on the other end of a four-hour road trip on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. CST. SC will look to move up the Eastern Conference table and potentially into a playoff position when Nashville SC takes on Atlanta United 2 at Coolray Field in Gwinnett, Ga.

Atlanta Breakdown

The biggest question mark when playing an MLS 2 team is who the personnel will be. With secondary clubs able to draw players from its MLS parent team, the quality of the lineup could vary wildly from game to game. In Nashville's first matchup with Atlanta United 2, a 3-0 win, Atlanta played many of its USL specific players. The next matchup, a 1-0 Nashville victory, was a different story as ATL UTD 2 featured a handful of squad players from the MLS club. With Atlanta United's next game on Sunday, don't be surprised to see a very strong lineup from ATL UTD 2 on Wednesday night.

While the team could have strong options to pick from, overall Atlanta United 2 has struggled throughout the majority of the season. Particularly, Atlanta has struggled defensively, conceding 61 goals, tied for the fifth-most in the USL this season, and its goal differential is an absurd -32. In its previous game, at home no less, Atlanta gave up six goals to North Carolina FC in a 6-1 blowout loss. Nashville SC will look to take advantage of that lackadaisical defending

Nashville Narratives

Nashville SC trails 7th place in the Eastern Conference standings by just two points with one fewer game played. While a playoff spot is now more in question than it was a month ago, Nashville is full control of its own destiny. In three of its final five games, SC will take on the three worst teams in the East. If Nashville takes care of business in those three games, earning an expected nine points, then a spot above the playoff line should all but be secured. Throw in the other two games, both at home, and Nashville should have a good chance to not just be in the playoff mix, but climb the standings to fifth or sixth.

One other positive for SC heading into the matchup is its dominance over Atlanta United 2 this season. It's the only team Nashville has two wins and six points against this season, and while the second matchup was tight on the scoreboard, Nashville did emerge with a victory. Will the trend continue? Continued stingy defense and Nashville SC's recent uptick in scoring should be a recipe for success in Atlanta.

Quotable

Defender Justin Davis

"I think we have to take the mindset that they are going to put out another tough squad given the close rivalry, and what they have done against us in the past. I'm not sure of their first team schedule, but assume they are going to put out the best squad they can."

Watching the East

As noted above, Nashville needs points from this matchup despite it being on the road. A full three points would do wonders for its chances in the standings, and even a point allows SC to keep pace with the teams around it in the standings. Currently just two points separate New York Red Bulls II in 7th and Nashville in 11th. With Red Bulls inactive on Wednesday, a win would guarantee Nashville jumping at minimum above New York and potentially into the top eight based on other results around the league.

How to Watch/Listen

The game will not be broadcast on MyTV30, but will air digitally on ESPN+. Those in Middle Tennessee can listen to the game on the radio on ESPN 94.9 Game 2.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 25, 2018


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