USL Nashville SC

Preview: Nashville SC Hosts Louisville City FC in Regional Rivalry Clash

October 7, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club kicks off a three-match homestand to close out the 2019 regular season with a Tuesday night showdown against Louisville City FC, presented by JetRight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m at First Tennessee Park.

Nashville SC currently sits in second place, and with Louisville surging up the standings, Tuesday night's match could have major implications on how the playoff race shapes up.

How to Follow

Local Television: MyTV30 with John Freeman and Ronnie Woodard

Digital Stream: ESPN+

English Radio: ESPN 94.9 Game 2 with Wes Boling

Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7 with Alexis Martinez and Manfred Villalobos

Social Media: @NashvilleSC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Last Time Out

Nashville SC won its final road match of the season by a 2-0 score over Loudoun United FC on Saturday, September 28. Daniel Ríos got the scoring started in the first half with a tap-in on a beautiful cross through the box from Ropapa Mensah. The goal was Ríos' 50th of his professional career. In the second half, Mensah got a goal of his own on a brilliant individual effort and shot down the right flank. With the win, Nashville SC moved up into first place in the Eastern Conference for the time being. Since then, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has moved into first place over Nashville.

Scouting Louisville City FC

Louisville City FC is the two-time defending USL Cup champion and currently sits in sixth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference. Despite an up-and-down start to the 2019 season, Louisville is currently riding one of the longest unbeaten runs in the league, having gone unbeaten since a loss at Loudoun United FC on July 28. That run has brought Louisville to within striking distance of the top four spots, sitting just six points away from fourth-place Tampa Bay Rowdies. Despite losing 2018 leading scorer Cameron Lancaster to Nashville SC in the offseason, a number of players have stepped up to score goals, including 2019 leading scorer Magnus Rasmussen, who has 10 goals.

Storylines to Watch

Playoff Seeding Implications

Regardless of the results from around the Eastern Conference over the weekend, Tuesday's match will have massive implications in the playoff race. A Nashville SC win would put the club in prime position to clinch a top four spot and a guaranteed home playoff match as early as the following weekend. Meanwhile, a Louisville City FC win would put it in the thick of the race for the top four with just two matches to go and throw a massive wrench in what has mainly been a five-team race for the top four recently.

Lancaster's Revenge

This will be the second time Cameron Lancaster will face his former club with Nashville SC. In the last meeting in Louisville, Lancaster assisted on Ríos' opening goal before being forced off due to injury. The former Golden Boot winner and USL record goal scorer will be looking to score his first goal against his former club if he sees the pitch in Tuesday's match.

A Familiar Foe

Nashville SC has played Louisville City FC more than any other current USL Championship opponent in the club's history. The two played each other four times last season across all competitions, including a 2-0 Nashville SC win at home on Mother's Day. Through five all-time matches, neither team has been able to win on the road.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 7, 2019


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