USL Nashville SC

Preview: Nashville SC Kicks off Road Swing with Trip to Face Birmingham Legion FC

Published on May 20, 2019 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - After settling for a draw against Charlotte Independence on Saturday, Nashville Soccer Club will begin a four-match road trip with a Wednesday night showdown with Birmingham Legion FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on national television on ESPNews.

Nashville is riding a three-match unbeaten run going into the first of two road matches this week.

How to Follow

National TV: ESPNews

Local English Radio: ESPN 94.9 Game 2

Digital Stream: ESPN3/WatchESPN

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @NashvilleSC

Last Time Out

Nashville SC was limited to a 1-1 draw against Charlotte Independence on Saturday night at First Tennessee Park. Despite dominating possession in the first half, Nashville conceded the first goal against the run of play early in the first half. However, the Boys in Gold responded well, continuing an offensive attack and finding the breakthrough on a Lebo Moloto rebound goal to tie things up. Even with mounting pressure in the attacking third, Nashville couldn't find a winner.

Scouting Birmingham

Birmingham Legion FC is in its inaugural season in the USL Championship and play their home matches at BBVA Compass Field. Currently, the club sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points, tied on points for a playoff spot with Bethlehem Steel FC and Atlanta United 2.

While Birmingham has conceded just the sixth-most goals in the Eastern Conference with 17, it has also only scored nine goals, the second-fewest in the Eastern Conference and third-fewest in the entire USL Championship. Three different players are tied for the team lead in goals with two apiece, and one of them, J.J. Williams, has played just three matches for Birmingham on a match-by-match loan from MLS' Columbus Crew SC. However, despite some of these struggles, Legion FC is still the best expansion team in the Eastern Conference, sitting above fellow expansion sides Loudoun United FC, Memphis 901 FC and Hartford Athletic.

Storylines to Watch

Resuming the Scoring Party

Going into Nashville SC's match against Charlotte Independence, the Boys in Gold were on a scoring tear, putting in eight goals in two matches. Things cooled off a little bit against Charlotte, as Nashville scored just once on 20 total shots. However, Nashville has been a solid attacking side, having scored multiple goals in six of 11 matches and only being shut out twice all season long. The club is also second in the Eastern Conference in goals with 19.

Expansion Success

Even though the club is only in its second season, Nashville SC has had plenty of success against other USL Championship expansion sides. Last season, Nashville went 3-0 against expansion side Atlanta United 2, and this season, Nashville has beaten both Loudoun United FC and Memphis 901 FC, each in shutout fashion.

National Television Breakthrough

This will be Nashville SC's second national television appearance this season, as the club hosted the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 8 on ESPN2. Wednesday's match on ESPNews will be Nashville's first road match on national television. Between last season and the start of this season, Nashville is 0-2 in national television appearances.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 20, 2019


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