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USL Nashville SC

Training Report: Nashville SC Returns to Training After a Weekend Break

June 4, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Eight matches in 25 days can take a lot out of you.

That's why Nashville Soccer Club took this past weekend off to relax, recharge, heal up and reset ahead of another busy month in June. The first of five matches this month comes this Sunday on the road at Bethlehem Steel FC. Head Coach Gary Smith was glad to get a weekend off to let his players take a break amidst the grind of a long season.

"We had a long run of games," Smith said. "A couple of days off over the weekend I think has done everyone a world of good. It gives everyone a chance to rest their bodies and minds. We've come back with some nice energy and I think the players are in a good place. We've got a couple of tough away games coming up before we get back home again. We're trying to get ourselves ready for that."

Nashville is halfway through a four-match league road swing after beating Birmingham Legion FC and drawing Indy Eleven. With road matchups at Bethlehem and Hartford Athletic coming up, Nashville SC will get the chance to scout its opponents and craft a strategy to earn three points in both matches. However, the team has a full week of practice before each match, so the Boys in Gold have the chance to get back to basics and get some individual work in before moving into match strategy.

"I think with a window of time in between or with a natural week, it always gives us the opportunity for players to work at their game more than maybe some tactical analysis of our opponent and how we're going to play," Smith said. "It's been a nice period of time. We've got I think eight days until we play Bethlehem away. Everyone's come back in good spirits and they've got to work nicely, so we'll ramp that up towards the weekend and be ready for Sunday."

Tuesday's training session was also a chance for forward Cameron Lancaster to get himself readjusted back to the squad after recovering from an injury sustained in training. While his timetable for a return to the lineup remains uncertain, Smith is happy to see the 2018 USL Golden Boot winner back as a participant in practice.

"He's had some really frustrating niggly problems," Smith said. "It will feel like we've signed a new player when he can get back fit and playing consistently. There's no doubt about it, his goals and his record will come in very handy. That's why he's at the club. At the moment, it's a case of getting him fit, getting him sharp for himself integrating back into the group nicely again."

Even with a few days of practice left until the squad travels to Philadelphia to face Bethlehem Steel FC, Smith is still looking ahead to how he wants his squad to take on a young Steel FC team in a high-quality venue in Talen Energy Stadium.

"We can certainly guarantee a good surface and a fabulous stadium," Smith said. "I think moreso for them, it makes a hell of a lot of sense. Their young players are coming through, understanding and appreciating their home field. It's something for our guys to look forward to. It's a great venue. Other than that, it will be about how we go in there, who's playing and what shape we're playing to try and get a result. Ultimately, that's what it's about."

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