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USL Nashville SC

Three Things to Know: Nashville SC at Tampa Bay Rowdies

August 30, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - In one of its toughest three-match streaks of the 2019 season, Nashville SC travels to St. Petersburg, Fla. to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Saturday will be the third straight match in which Nashville has played a team in the Eastern Conference's top 10. To add to the intensity, all three of those matches have involved teams that Nashville had not beaten in the past. The challenging stretch began on Aug. 21 when Nashville hosted and fell 2-1 to the league-leading New York Red Bulls II. That match was followed by a courageous performance against then ninth-place Charleston Battery on Aug. 24 that saw a 2-1 win for NSC. The Boys in Gold will look to build upon their recent form this Saturday against the Rowdies. Here are the three things to know about the match:

1. Watch Party at TailGate Brewery

As the team travels to Florida, the club is hosting the official watch party at TailGate Brewery (7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209) starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Join the party in TailGate's Canning Room with drink specials including $5 core pints and $4 shots of Buffalo Trace, Wheatley Vodka or tequila with the purchase of a pint. Club representatives will be in attendance handing out Nashville SC giveaways. Plus, fans will have the opportunity to enter to win tickets to one of Nashville's upcoming home matches.

2. Former Rowdies Back in Florida

Nashville SC Goalkeeper Matt Pickens and Darnell King have each spent time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies prior to joining Nashville SC. Pickens played with the Rowdies from 2014-2017, appearing in 102 matches and totaling 28 clean sheets. King overlapped with Pickens at Tampa Bay, playing for the team from 2015-2017. He made 81 appearances, scored one goal and had five assists for the club.

3. Fighting For The Top

In Week 26, the top of the Eastern Conference standings is jam-packed with talented teams in great form, especially with each of the current top four teams winning their most recent matches. Nashville SC heads into this weekend's match in third place with 48 points, just one point behind Tampa Bay who sits in second. New York Red Bulls II is currently leading the Eastern Conference with 53 points, but three points this weekend could put Nashville in position to leap over Red Bulls II and into should the team get another result in Week 27 combined with a Red Bulls II loss.

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