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USL Nashville SC

Three Keys to the Match: Nashville SC vs. Indy Eleven

July 26, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE -Nashville Soccer Club returns home after three matches on the road to host Indy Eleven on Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. CT in what is sure to be a legendary matchup at Nissan Stadium.

Saturday's match will be a Nashville SC preview at Nissan Stadium, allowing fans to check out the team's future temporary home before the team's 2020 inaugural MLS season. With Indy Eleven in town, the match could easily prove to be one of Nashville's most important of the season. Forward Daniel Ríos continues his race to the 2019 Golden Boot Award as Nashville and Indy sit just two spots apart in fifth and in third, respectively.

Here are the three keys to Saturday's match:

1. Battle of the Backlines

Nashville SC and Indy Eleven boast two of the strongest backlines in the Eastern Conference. With 10 shutouts, the Eleven has allowed the fewest goals in the league at just 12 in 18 matches. Nashville, however, is not far behind, allowing only 19 goals this season. The defensive deadlock was evident in the most recent matchup between the two teams on May 25, 2019 in Indianapolis which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Nashville SC could now have a leg up considering it has added some new weapons to its defensive arsenal. Jimmy Ockford and Forrest Lasso will potentially make their home debuts this Saturday. Lasso joins the team on a season-long loan from MLS' FC Cincinnati while Ockford joined the team on a short-term loan from MLS' San Jose Earthquakes. Ockford has already made an impact on the field, scoring in the first half of Nashville's most recent match at Memphis. The pair of defenders with MLS experience provide strength and depth to Nashville's already elite backline.

2. Winning in the Wings

It's no secret that Nashville SC's attack can strike at any moment with forwards like Ríos and Cameron Lancaster up top. While these two supported by center midfielders like Lebo Moloto have accounted for several big plays in the team's attacking third, the playmakers out on the wings have been tearing it up. Connections between outside backs and wingers like Taylor Washington and Alan Winn will be key for Nashville SC. In Nashville's last match against Memphis, the flanks accounted for 84.4 percent of Nashville attacks compared to 15.6 percent down the middle. For comparison, Indy's last game saw a combined 69.2 percent on the wing and 30.8 centrally. With the wings firing on all cylinders and finishers like Ríos making runs into the box, Indy's backline will have their work cut out for them.

3. A Group Effort

It's easy to get caught up in Ríos' record-breaking season. The forward is now the club's all-time leading scorer with 12 goals so far this season and sits in second place just behind Phoenix Rising FC's Solomon Asante in the USL Championship Golden Boot race. While Ríos' performance in front of the goal has been outstanding, he has plenty of other teammates who have contributed to Nashville's 33 total goals this season. Twelve different NSC players have scored one or more goals in 2019. All but three players who have seen minutes this season have taken at least one shot on goal, two of those being goalkeepers. With Indy Eleven's defense focusing heavily on Ríos, opportunities will arise for surrounding players who have proven they can score from just about anywhere in the final third. Indy Eleven's stalwart backline is tough to break through, making attack variation even more crucial for Nashville.

Don't miss out on one of only two games at Nissan Stadium in 2019. Tickets to Saturday's match are still available.

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