USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Preparing for Tactical Battle against Indy Eleven in Conference Semifinals

Published on November 2, 2019 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club and Indy Eleven have played some tight matches this season.

A cagey, back-and-forth match in Indianapolis resulted in a 0-0 draw back in May. At Nissan Stadium, Nashville SC managed to unlock a stingy Indy defense twice to win 2-0 in July. The Boys in Gold expect another tight affair on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Tennessee Park in the Conference Semifinals on Saturday night, but with one new caveat: there are no draws in the USL Championship Playoffs. Someone has to win.

"We've played them twice this year," midfielder Lebo Moloto said. "I think the last game they played the same formation. I think tactics and formations will play a big part in the game, but at the same time, it's one of those games where it's not the same compared to during the season where you can get a tie. We are going to have to do our best to get a win this weekend."

Indy Eleven finished in the bottom third in the league in goals scored, tied with non-playoff teams Hartford Athletic and Bethlehem Steel FC with 49. However, Indy also conceded the second-fewest goals in the league, second only to Nashville SC. That will make for a cagey battle on Saturday night, especially after the Eleven managed to shut out a high-octane New York Red Bulls II side in the Conference Quarterfinals.

"I thought it looked a really tough game for both teams," Head Coach Gary Smith said of Indy's win last week. "The conditions didn't look good. The stadium that they played at was a stadium I've actually been to with a previous team, and it's outdoors, which is different for the Indy group. But I think the conditions in the main, the wind looked very strong, it was pouring down rain, and for the most part it looked quite a scrappy and difficult affair. I'm sure they'll be delighted to have found that all-important goal and got past a very good New York side, because that group had some bodies in it that were pushed down to the USL group again. So they'll be pleased with that, and they'll be confident with their result. It goes without saying it's going to be a tight and difficult game. We've got to be at our best."

One way that Nashville could gain a leg-up in this match could be through its multi-faceted offense. Against the Charleston Battery in the Conference Quarterfinals, Nashville SC's three goals came in three different ways: a quick break off of a turnover, a set piece and a brilliant individual play. That variety could come in handy to break down the Eleven defense.

"I think Lebo [Moloto] and I have taken a lot of pride in our service off of dead balls and I don't know what our numbers are, but it's pretty high in the league for conversion on set pieces," said defender Justin Davis. "So, we try to take advantage of those. The first goal last week I think came off of some really good defensive shape and we were able to get a turnover and Lebo put it away. We can beat you in many different ways, and we're going to need that."

In recent weeks, Nashville SC has turned around its home form, having not lost at home since August. Davis expects another raucous environment at First Tennessee Park on Saturday night to help push the Boys in Gold on to another playoff win.

"A lot of people would question our home form to start the year, but we have proved them wrong and we get good results here," Davis said. "We are always in it until the last minute, and the fans are always behind us. There should be even more with it being such a big game and a lot of traveling fans from Indy is what I expect. It will be a good environment."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 2, 2019


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