MLS Nashville SC

What to Watch for as Nashville SC Hosts Atlanta United FC

September 11, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville SC (2W-4L-3D) wraps up phase one of the Major League Soccer regular season restart with a Saturday night clash against Atlanta United FC (3W-5L-2D) at Nissan Stadium.

Nashville enters the match on a three-match unbeaten run, including a pair of results at home against Inter Miami CF on August 30 and Orlando City SC on September 2. The Boys in Gold will be looking to earn its first victory over its regional rivals.

Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's match:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12

Time: 7:30 p.m. CT

Location: Nissan Stadium

TV: MyTV30

In-Market Stream: YouTube TV, AT&T TV, NashvilleSC.com/stream

Out-of-Market Stream: ESPN+

English Radio: ESPN 94.9

Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7

Rested and Ready - Nashville SC just wrapped up a stretch of five matches in 15 days. After such a grueling run, Head Coach Gary Smith gave his players several days this week to rest and recover before getting to work on preparing for Atlanta.

Smith thinks his players' fitness will be an advantage going into this match against an Atlanta club that lost 3-2 on the road this past Wednesday against Inter Miami CF.

"After such a tough run, a big piece of the equation was making sure that the guys were physically and emotionally refreshed," Head Coach Gary Smith said. "So they've had a couple of days off. In that period of time, they've been in to do some of their recovery work at the training ground and certainly some of the players on the fringes add some extra work. I do believe that the time we've had here is being utilized well, and for those guys, being physically ready for the weekend was one of the big boxes that I wanted to tick. Atlanta is coming off of a tough week themselves with three away games. And I felt honestly that being fresh, being bright, and purposeful at the weekend is as big a quality as any to try and put themselves in the positive column at the weekend."

Rivalry Energy - This will be the third meeting of the season between Nashville and Atlanta United. In the first two meetings, Atlanta has gotten the better side of the result.

While Smith thinks his players will certainly be motivated to set the record straight in a rivalry match, he also knows the home environment and standings points available will be enough motivation.

"We want to put our mark on this rivalry scenario, but I don't think anyone's in a desperate state here," Smith said. "I mean, let's keep it in perspective, we're at home, we will certainly give it everything we have to win this game. There will be, I'm sure, no individual on that field that won't absolutely empty the tank for a result for us. And then, of course, we're relying on quality at the right times. And making sure that our game plan is fulfilled to its very utmost."

Kick Childhood Cancer - Saturday's match will serve to honor Kick Childhood Cancer as part of MLS' initiative in its seventh year. Nashville SC will be honoring childhood cancer patients and health care workers throughout the match.

Child ambassador and cancer patient Charlie Fogarty, a nine-year old Nashville SC fan, will serve as the Hyundai Hero of the Match and will be featured through the club's digital and social channels as well as during the match's broadcast.

Nashville SC fans from the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt will serve as virtual fans in Section 615, a designated section for community partners and special guests, presented by DEX Imaging. The virtual fans will be featured during the match broadcast on Sept. 12. In addition, they will create scoreboard art that will be displayed throughout the match at Nissan Stadium.

Fans may donate to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt by texting "Give2Kids" and "GiveToKids" to 615-488-4401.

Check out the Nashville SC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 11, 2020


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central