USL Nashville SC

Year One a Roaring Success for Nashville SC

Published on October 24, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - It is tough to find words to describe the inaugural season of Nashville Soccer Club. Maybe, it is because so many of them apply. Historic. Record-setting. Dramatic. Heart-pounding. Fun. There is no doubt that the first pro soccer season for Nashville SC was a roaring success.

Singing in the Rain

It all began on February 10 at First Tennessee Park when Nashville SC started its season with a bang in a preseason friendly with Atlanta United of Major League Soccer (MLS). Despite a monsoon throughout the game, over 9,000 fans packed FTP to see Nashville score its first goal in club history courtesy of Ghanaian striker, Ropapa Mensah.

The history-making continued a month later when over 18,000 fans, again in the rain, saw Nashville SC's first USL home game in Nissan Stadium, a 0-0 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The crowd was the largest for a professional soccer match that weekend in MLS or the USL, proving that Nashville is indeed a soccer city.

"This inaugural season set a new bar for what can be achieved with professional soccer here in Nashville," said Nashville SC CEO Court Jeske. "Our success is a testament to three critical components - the fans, the fans, and the fans. Without their unwavering support, we wouldn't be where we are today."

Open Cup Success and The Streak

In April came the first USL win on home turf, a 2-0 shutout of the Charlotte Independence in near-freezing temps at First Tennessee Park. That win kicked off what would be a strong home field advantage for SC, where they got results in 12 of 15 USL games at FTP.

In the middle of its first USL season, Nashville SC also managed a thrilling run in the U.S. Open Cup. After wins in its first two Cup games, Nashville went up against Colorado Rapids of MLS. In a game chock-full of juicy storylines, SC was dominant in a 2-0 win over the Rapids, becoming one of just three USL teams to beat an MLS team in the Open Cup this year.

During that run, Nashville had the nation's longest unbeaten streak which finished at 11 games between the USL and the U.S. Open Cup. Capping off the streak, Mensah scored the most dramatic goal in Nashville SC's short history, a final kick, walk-off, game-winner over North Carolina FC at First Tennessee Park.

Off the field, Nashville SC was in the swing of success as well, breaking the USL's inaugural season ticket record with over 6,200 Season Ticket Members in 2018. The crowd consistently provided the atmosphere and soundtrack at SC home games, and the fans inaugural season ticket record showed the city's commitment to professional soccer.

The Playoff Chase

As the season drew to a close, Nashville SC turned its attention to a #GoldRush to the USL Cup Playoffs. With six straight results in the final six games of the season, Nashville locked in a playoff berth in its inaugural season.

Nashville's playoff appearance saw it up against rival, and the USL's top seed, FC Cincinnati for a fourth time. Three draws in three previous matches foreshadowed what was to come in Cincinnati last Saturday. The game was scoreless after regulation, necessitating extra time. FCC scored early in the extra 30 minutes, and Nashville answered late, setting up nerve-fraying penalty kicks. Still, it needed extra PKs to decide the match, with Cincinnati eventually advancing on in the playoffs and ending Nashville's historic first season.

Leaving a Mark

Throughout its inaugural season, Nashville left its mark on the USL in 2018 as the second-best defensive team in the league, allowing a paltry 31 goals in 34 games. Keeper Matt Pickens, the first signing in club history, proved his star-power, compiling the second-most shutouts in a single season in league history, 14.

While the identity of 2018 Nashville SC was rooted in defense, offensively, Nashville had a flair for the dramatic. The expansion club scored 16 goals after the 75' minute during the course of the season, giving fans plenty of reasons to stay late and cheer loud at FTP.

Now, in a season full of firsts, Nashville Soccer Club will embark on one more - building on a foundation of success. In the last 12 months, SC has blazed a trail for energizing a pro soccer fan base.

"We set USL records for inaugural season tickets, corporate partnership and media broadcasts," Jeske said. "We won on the field, made our first playoff appearance, and went to the US Open Cup Round of 16. Nothing else needs to be said other than, 'We can't wait to see what year two has in store'."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 24, 2018


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