USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Staying Focused and Forward-Thinking Ahead of Final Road Clash at Loudoun

September 28, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville SC doesn't have time to look backwards.

There are only four matches left in the regular season, and even though last weekend's 0-0 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was disappointing for the players and the staff, the Boys in Gold didn't lament over it for very long. They got back to work and are set to take on Loudoun United FC on the road on Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on MyTV30.

With a tight group of teams at the top of the standings, Nashville SC will need every point possible to secure a top four finish and a guaranteed home playoff match. Head Coach Gary Smith has spent time making sure his players are in the right mindset to handle the pressure down the stretch.

"Stay focused," Smith said. "Give every single game as much as you can. I think all teams will look at it now and say if we fail to win this conference, every single team will look back on dropped points. No doubt about it. We'll be exactly the same if we don't win it. There's five teams as we look at it within an inch of one another in terms of what they can achieve. Two of those teams have a slight advantage with a game in hand, but they play each other at the weekend. So you would think one of them might fall foul of that. And then of course, we're forgetting about the current champions (Louisville City FC) who are in a great run and we've got to play them. If they can turn Tampa over at the weekend, they are well and truly in the mix and they're coming to town very quickly against us. The message is: win your games, make sure you give it everything, and have no regrets."

With New York Red Bulls II dropping points on Friday night, Nashville SC could have another chance to move into first place depending on the results from Pittsburgh's match against Indy Eleven and the Tampa Bay Rowdies' match against Louisville City FC. Nashville has balked at these kinds of opportunities in the past, and Smith is hoping his team steps up and takes control of the Eastern Conference.

"There's going to be some results that we've already seen that have dropped points for groups when you least expect it," Smith said. "And for others, they're going to tip the scales their way and they're going to find a way forward and maybe towards the summit of the group. Somebody at some point has got to take that by the scruff of the neck and say this title is mine. But I think it's the biggest testimony to such a very evenly-matched Eastern Conference. We're looking at a Loudoun group that have improved to no end, a big win [Wednesday] night. They've got goals in them now, I think their new home has maybe given them a bit of a lift. Those young players have really settled into an Eastern Conference and probably with some league games under their belt, feel a lot better about themselves. We're expecting a very difficult encounter. We can make it as easy or as tough on ourselves as we like. We're certainly looking at it from our angle that we have to attack the game. We certainly want to win the game, and if we can, who knows what the end of the day will bring."

Regardless of whether or not the team has the chance to take control of the Eastern Conference with a win, three points would still be a major boost in the club's quest for a top four spot and a guaranteed home playoff match. Defender Justin Davis would be satisfied with a top four spot, but the primary objective is to get to the summit of the conference.

"It's a goal of ours for sure," Davis said. "Like I said, with the results going our way, we are in that mix, but it's extremely tight. You can go from first to fifth in the blink of an eye. Anywhere in that top four, I think we will be happy with, but it would be nice to get a top spot."



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 28, 2019


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.

OurSports Central