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USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Ready for Matchup of Eastern Conference Elites in Indianapolis

May 24, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Matchups like these don't come around every weekend.

On Saturday, second-place Nashville Soccer Club takes on fifth-place Indy Eleven at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis at 6:00 p.m. CT. It's a showdown between two teams that loaded up with talent in the offseason, and teams that are among the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the USL Cup.

From Nashville's perspective, it's also a chance to get a proverbial monkey off of its back. Last season, Nashville SC earned at least one standings point against every single team it faced, except for Indy. That fact is not lost on the players that returned to the squad this season.

"I think especially because of last year and just what was going on with us and them," defender Bradley Bourgeois said. "We knew what Indy did and the acquisitions that they got. I think all of the games are pretty much that we're trying to go and prove something, especially with us being who we are. We're the team to beat and we feel like we have that target on our back. Indy is going to be a good one."

Although the matchup is a good test for both sides, Head Coach Gary Smith cautioned against putting too much importance on the matchup in terms of a standings swing.

"You see the way that the games are unfolding, there is so much parity in the league," Smith said. "The teams that are starting to edge a little bit, Tampa on an unbeaten run, New York have been on a really good run themselves, but I think they've had a lot of home games, so we'll have to see how they adapt to their away games. Aside that, you've got a lot of competitive groups capable of winning on any given day, and it really is about staying the distance, sticking to what you're about and the identity of the group, and making sure that the squad stays healthy, you stay sharp and you stay ready. No occasions moreso than the run we're in now."

Saturday's matchup will be the second of a four-match league road swing for Nashville, and the club's seventh match in the month of May across all competitions. In such a tight schedule, certain players have seen their roles evolve and fluctuate depending on the matchup and on the sequence of matches.

As this rapid succession of matches winds down, the players are ready, willing and able to play whatever part is needed to help the team.

"It's all about your role," forward Alan Winn said. "Sometimes you're going to start, sometimes you're going to come off the bench and sometimes you won't play. You have to embrace what you're given, so it doesn't matter if you start or you don't start or if you come off the bench. You have to go in with the same mentality every single time. Maybe next time I don't start, that could be for a number of reasons. I just have to take my nose to the grindstone and do what I can."

Indy Eleven plays on a tight turf surface at Lucas Oil Stadium, which makes for a lively pace of play and requires a careful touch in order to secure possession. Luckily for Nashville SC, it got to a play on another fast surface just this week on Wednesday against Birmingham Legion FC at BBVA Compass Field. While playing on the turf will present challenges, the preparation in the week leading up to the match could pay dividends for the Boys in Gold.

"I think it's nice because [Wednesday night] was about as close as you can get to turf and that liveliness," Bourgeois said. "It was difficult. It wasn't the easiest pitch to play on, but we know what the challenge is ahead. We know Indy is not going to be easy, and it's going to take a lot of focus, and it's going to take a lot of hard work. I think we're ready for it."

Catch the match locally on MyTV30 and on the radio on ESPN 94.9 Game 2.

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