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USL Nashville SC

Three Things to Know: Nashville SC vs. Hartford Athletic

August 6, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club is on a hot streak, winning three straight matches and racking up three clean sheets along the way. The team looks to keep the momentum going in Nashville this week with the first of its two home matches coming against Hartford Athletic on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7:00 p.m. CT at First Tennessee Park.

Nashville's most recent results have boosted the team into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. With an overall record of 11W-5D-5L and 38 total points, NSC ranks fourth in the conference in goals scored with 37 and is third in clean sheets with nine. In its last meeting with Hartford Athletic, Nashville came out on top 3-2 with goals from Daniel Ríos, Lebo Moloto and Cameron Lancaster. End-of-game heroics from Lancaster gave Nashville SC the go-ahead goal in the 85' minute to earn three important points.

With a win streak on the line and playoffs creeping closer, Saturday's matchup will be crucial for Nashville SC as it aims for a top spot in the Eastern Conference. Here are the three things to know about Saturday's match.

1) It's Been A While

The last time that the Boys in Gold stepped onto the pitch at First Tennessee Park was on June 26 in a match against New York Red Bulls II that was postponed due to severe weather. Because of the cancellation, NSC's last result at its home stadium was June 22 in a 3-3 draw with Ottawa Fury. Since then, the team has been on the road or at Nissan Stadium, making it 46 days without an FTP match. While home field advantage is always preferred, Nashville has performed well on the road this season. The team has seen eight matches at home and 13 away so far in 2019. Seven of the total 11 wins have come at an opponent's stadium. Nashville will have the opportunity to collect more favorable home results with a schedule that includes nine home matches out of 13 total remaining matches.

2) Highs and Lows

Tomorrow's match features two teams on opposite ends of the Eastern Conference standings. Nashville (11W-5D-5L) sits in fourth place in the conference while Hartford (4W-4D-15L) is second to last in 17th place. Neither team has struggled to find the back of the net, but keeping it out of their own goals has been a different story. Nashville boasts 37 goals, largely influenced by conference-leading Daniel Ríos' 14 goals. Hartford isn't drastically far behind, scoring 29 goals in the regular season. However, Nashville's 19 goals allowed soars in comparison to Hartford's 53. While the goal stats are vastly different, the last matchup between the two teams was close. A one-goal margin was all that stood between Nashville and Hartford back in June.

3) Roster Revamp

Both Nashville SC and Hartford Athletic have added to their roster since their last meeting. Nashville SC welcomed defenders Jimmy Ockford and Forrest Lasso from their respective MLS clubs on loan in the last month. Ockford, who comes to the team from the San Jose Earthquakes, has started in the last three matches, scoring a goal in Louisville in his first Nashville appearance. Lasso came on loan from FC Cincinnati and has already made an impact with his stalwart defending and great distribution. For Hartford, the club announced Monday that FC Cincinnati's Logan Gdula and Minnesota United's Collin Martin would be joining the team ahead of Wednesday's match. Gdula was with the USL side earlier in the season, scoring his first professional goal against Birmingham Legion on June 22. He later returned to Cincinnati and earned to spots on the 18-man roster before being sent back to Hartford. Martin was loaned to Hartford on April 23 to help the midfield. He returned to MUFC in June, making two appearances, but is now back to help out Hartford.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 6, 2019


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