MLS Nashville SC

Nashville Soccer Club Returns to GEODIS Park to Host Philadelphia Union Presented by Schneider Electric

Published on July 11, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Soccer Club (11W-6L-5D, 35 pts.) will host the Philadelphia Union (10W-7L-4D, 34 pts.) at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 12, presented by Schneider Electric. Nashville SC, which is riding an eight match home unbeaten streak (6W-0L-2D), with six consecutive wins, will be hosting a Marvel Super Hero™ night on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith and midfielder Randall Leal addressed the media to preview the match. Smith spoke about the team getting "back in the saddle" to face Philadelphia Union at home, about the form Philadelphia has been in and the level of competition they will bring to GEODIS Park, as the Boys in Gold are focused on the midweek clash knowing there is a second match this week to come three days after. Smith also commented on Jacob Shaffelburg's first international goal for Canada Soccer in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup on July 9, and his possible availability leading up to Wednesday's competition.

Leal, who scored the first Nashville SC goal at GEODIS Park against Philadelphia Union on May 1, 2022 with an equalizing 85th-minute penalty, spoke about his memories from opening day as he also discussed the importance of picking up three points to bounce back heading into this week of competition.

Wednesday night will mark the first meeting between the two sides in the 2023 regular season, and will mark the first clash between the two sides since the opening match at GEODIS Park on May 1, 2022.

The Boys in Gold own a 1W-1L-2D record against Philadelphia Union across all competitions (1W-1L-1D in regular season play). Nashville's only loss to Philadelphia came on Oct. 23, 2021 when Kacper Przybylko converted a penalty in the 18th minute of the match. In those four matches, no side has scored more than one goal in regulation time, including the 1-1 stalemate in the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs that was decided on penalty kicks.

The Boys in Gold are rolling at GEODIS Park, having tied the club record for home wins in a season on Matchday 22, registering its eighth regular season victory at GEODIS Park. Nashville SC's last loss at home came on March 25 to league-leading FC Cincinnati. Since then, Nashville SC has registered a 6W-0L-2D record at The Castle, also outscoring opponents 21-6 (+15 goal-differential) in that span.

The Boys in Gold will also see two of its three players who reported for international duty at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup available for selection on Wednesday night. Fafà Picault returned from international duty with Haiti and played 71 minutes in Saturday's match at Chicago Fire FC.

Jacob Shaffelburg and Canada played Sunday night in a Quarterfinal match against the United States Men's National Team. Shaffelburg scored in extra time with a brilliant individual effort in the 2-2 thriller, but Canada would ultimately fall in penalties, with Shaffelburg returning to market.

Nashville will still be missing Aníbal Godoy, after he captained Panama to a 4-0 win over Qatar in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup and will face the United States in the Semifinals on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

On top of Picault and Shaffelburg's return to Nashville SC's attack, Hany Mukhtar will enter the week rested. For the first time since March 4, Mukhtar began an MLS match on the bench when Nashville faced Chicago. He came on at halftime and registered the full 45 minutes to close out the match.

This Wednesday's match will also be Nashville SC's Marvel Super Hero™ Night. Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Marvel character to celebrate the occasion, or rock Nashville SC's new Americana x Captain America pre-match top, available now at the Nashville SC Team Store. In addition, fans can purchase a special ticket package of four tickets or more that includes exclusive Marvel Super Hero character appearances pre-match here. Three Super Heroes will be in attendance: Thor, Captain America and Black Panther.

GEODIS PARK'S ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR JULY 12:

Main Act: Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia Union

Theme Night: Marvel Super Hero™ Night

Opening Act: Eric Burgett, a performer booked through Folds of Honor TN, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

WeHo Performance: Matthew Grant

In-house DJ: CISCO

National Anthem: The Woods

Guitar Riff: Leland Rooney (The Woods)

Halftime Performance: King Calaway

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

- Television: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App

- Radio: 104.5 The Zone

Check out the Nashville SC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from July 11, 2023


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