MLS Nashville SC

Nashville Soccer Club to Face Minnesota United FC in Leagues Cup 2023 Quarterfinals

August 10, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Soccer Club will host Minnesota United FC at GEODIS Park on Friday night, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Leagues Cup 2023 Quarterfinals.

Nashville SC will also be looking for its first win over Minnesota United in series history.

The Boys in Gold have clashed with the Loons three times before, with a current series record of 0W-1L-2D against the Minnesota side. Nashville SC's last meeting with Minnesota United FC occurred on Aug. 14, 2022 at GEODIS Park and ended in a 1-2 loss for Nashville.

Minnesota United FC and Nashville SC's Leagues Cup 2023 tournament paths have mirrored each other. Both sides took one group stage match and dropped one match. Both sides took their Round of 32 match and Round of 16 match to determine a winner, not going down without a fight.

Both teams have been on scoring streaks, recently. Minnesota United is currently riding a nine-match scoring streak across all competitions with 22 goals in that span. In that streak, the Loons have played three matches away from Allianz Stadium, and record eight goals in those road matches.

Minnesota United FC have recorded 11 goals in its Leagues Cup 2023 campaign, with four goal scorers responsible for the count. Bongokuhle Hlongwane is responsible for seven of Minnesota's 11 goals, accounting for a total 64% of the Loons' Leagues Cup 2023 goal total.

One of Minnesota's goal scorers will be missing in the upcoming clash at GEODIS Park. Hassani Dotson received two yellow cards and was subsequently ejected against Toluca in Minnesota's Round of 16 match.

Nashville SC is also on a scoring streak and will be looking to extend its five-match streak on Friday night. Across Leagues Cup 2023 play, Nashville SC has recorded eight goals with seven different goal scorers responsible.

Nashville SC's aerial presence has been dominant, along with its set piece play, throughout the Leagues Cup 2023 tournament. Nashville SC has seen 25% of its Leagues Cup 2023 goals scored off set piece opportunities. One of those goals was a header from Walker Zimmerman against Club América as he rose above the entire backline to head the goal in. Nashville SC's newly signed Designated Player Sam Surridge also got up to use his head at the end of a Hany Mukhtar cross against Club América on Aug. 8, 2023.

Earlier this evening, Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith and defenders Dan Lovitz and Lukas MacNaughton spoke to the media. Lovitz and MacNaughton discussed the atmosphere at GEODIS in Leagues Cup matches, and Smith spoke about the consistent success of Minnesota United FC.

Nashville SC must win this match to remain part of Leagues Cup 2023, as the tournament has reached its single-elimination knockout stage. As with group stage, there will be no draws in this tournament. Should both sides end regulation time on level terms, both teams will immediately enter a penalty shootout to determine the winner of the match.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 10, 2023


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