2023 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
General manager | Mike Jacobs | ||
Head coach | Gary Smith | ||
Stadium | Geodis Park | ||
MLS | Conference: 7th Overall: 12th | ||
MLS Cup Playoffs | Round One | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Round of 16 | ||
Leagues Cup | Runners-up | ||
Average home league attendance | 28,257[1] | ||
| |||
The 2023 Nashville SC season was the fourth season for Nashville SC as a member of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional soccer in the United States. After finishing the 2022 season with a playoff berth and a first round exit,[2] the club loaned out Designated Player and forward Aké Arnaud Loba to Mazatlán F.C. and made trades to add depth.[3][4] Midfielder Hany Mukhtar had finished the previous season as the league's top goalscorer, earning the MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals, and was also won the most valuable player award.[5]
The club moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the 2023 season and played 34 regular season matches between February 25 and October 21.[6] The team opened their preseason training camp on January 9 in Tampa, Florida, and played several friendly matches in Florida.[7] Nashville SC also participated in the Leagues Cup, a knockout competition for all MLS and Liga MX clubs in July and August.[8] They finished as runners-up, hosting the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami CF and losing in a penalty shootout.[9] The club entered the U.S. Open Cup in the third round and advanced to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Miami.[10][11]
Nashville qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs—their fourth consecutive postseason—by finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference.[12] They were eliminated in the first round by Orlando City SC, losing the first two games in the best-of-three series by a 1–0 scoreline.[13]
Non-competitive matches
[edit]Preseason
[edit]During the preseason, Nashville SC had a 3–2–1 record.[14]
January 21 | Nashville SC | 0–1 | New York Red Bulls | Bradenton, Florida |
Report | Stadium: IMG Academy |
January 24 | Nashville SC | 2–1 | United States U-20 | Tampa, Florida |
Report |
January 30 | Nashville SC | 0–0 | Louisville City FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
6:30 p.m. CST | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park |
February 7 | Nashville SC | NP | Orlando City SC | Tampa, Florida |
Note: Canceled due to venue availability issues. |
February 10 | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Nashville SC | Tampa, Florida |
12:00 p.m. CST |
|
Report | Stadium: Al Lang Stadium |
February 14 | Nashville SC | 2–0 (a.e.t.) | Philadelphia Union | St. Petersburg, Florida |
Report | Attendance: Closed doors |
February 17 | Nashville SC | 6–3 | FC Cincinnati | Tampa, Florida |
11:00 a.m. CST |
|
Report | Stadium: Al Lang Stadium |
Competitive
[edit]Major League Soccer
[edit]Standings
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | New England Revolution | 34 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 58 | 46 | +12 | 55 | Qualification for round one |
6 | Atlanta United FC | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 66 | 53 | +13 | 51 | |
7 | Nashville SC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 49 | |
8 | New York Red Bulls | 34 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 36 | 39 | −3 | 43 | Qualification for the wild-card round |
9 | Charlotte FC | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 45 | 52 | −7 | 43 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Atlanta United FC | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 66 | 53 | +13 | 51 | Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32[a] |
11 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 50 | −2 | 50 | |
12 | Nashville SC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 49 | Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[b] |
13 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC (V) | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 55 | 48 | +7 | 48 | Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[c] |
14 | FC Dallas | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 37 | +4 | 46 | Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32[a] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(V) Canadian Championship winner
Notes:
- ^ a b As one of the top seven teams in the overall table to not qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- ^ As 2023 Leagues Cup runner-up
- ^ As 2023 Canadian Championship winners
Match results
[edit]February 25 MLS 1 | Nashville SC | 2–0 | New York City FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
3:30 p.m. CST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,051 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
March 4 MLS 2 | New York Red Bulls | 0–0 | Nashville SC | Harrison, New Jersey |
6:30 p.m. CST | Report |
|
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 18,474 Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere |
March 11 MLS 3 | Nashville SC | 2–0 | CF Montréal | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 25,958 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
March 18 MLS 4 | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Nashville SC | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 14,930 Referee: Jon Freemon |
March 25 MLS 5 | Nashville SC | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,453 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
April 1 MLS 6 | Orlando City SC | 0–2 | Nashville SC | Orlando, Florida |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Exploria Stadium Attendance: 20,115 Referee: Chris Penso |
April 8 MLS 7 | Nashville SC | 0–0 | Toronto FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 26,999 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
April 15 MLS 8 | New York City FC | 2–1 | Nashville SC | New York City, New York |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Citi Field Attendance: 18,687 Referee: Allen Chapman |
April 22 MLS 9 | Nashville SC | 1–1 | Los Angeles FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Ted Unkel |
April 29 MLS 10 | Nashville SC | 3–1 | Atlanta United FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,793 Referee: Joe Dickerson |
May 6 MLS 11 | Nashville SC | 3–0 | Chicago Fire FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,611 Referee: Mark Allatin |
May 13 MLS 12 | D.C. United | 1–1 | Nashville SC | Washington, D.C. |
6:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 19,215 Referee: Nima Saghafi |
May 17 MLS 13 | Nashville SC | 2–1 | Inter Miami CF | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 25,839 Referee: Alex Chilowicz |
May 20 MLS 14 | Charlotte FC | 1–2 | Nashville SC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Bank of America Stadium Attendance: 30,526 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
May 28 MLS 15 | Nashville SC | 3–1 | Columbus Crew | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | McCarty ![]() Picault ![]() Moore ![]() Godoy ![]() Bunbury ![]() Mukhtar ![]() |
Report | Yeboah ![]() Vallecilla ![]() Morris ![]() |
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Victor Rivas |
June 3 MLS 16 | FC Dallas | 1–2 | Nashville SC | Frisco, Texas |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Obrian ![]() Norris ![]() |
Report | Norris ![]() Mukhtar ![]() Greguš ![]() Washington ![]() |
Stadium: Toyota Stadium Attendance: 16,890 Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere |
June 10 MLS 17 | Toronto FC | 1–1 | Nashville SC | Toronto, Ontario |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 27,228 Referee: Jon Freemon |
June 17 MLS 18 | Nashville SC | 3–1 | St. Louis City SC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Nima Saghafi |
June 21 MLS 19 | CF Montréal | 1–0 | Nashville SC | Montreal, Quebec |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Saputo Stadium Attendance: 16,247 Referee: Tori Penso |
June 24 MLS 20 | Columbus Crew | 2–0 | Nashville SC | Columbus, Ohio |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Lower.com Field Attendance: 20,443 Referee: Filip Dujic |
July 1 MLS 21 | Nashville SC | 2–0 | D.C. United | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
July 8 MLS 22 | Chicago Fire FC | 1–0 | Nashville SC | Chicago, Illinois |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Soldier Field Attendance: 22,348 Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere |
July 12 MLS 23 | Nashville SC | 0–2 | Philadelphia Union | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Sergii Boiko |
July 15 MLS 24 | FC Cincinnati | 3–1 | Nashville SC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: TQL Stadium Attendance: 25,513 Referee: Ramy Touchan |
August 26 MLS 25 | Atlanta United FC | 4–0 | Nashville SC | Atlanta, Georgia |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Attendance: 67,514 Referee: Jon Freemon |
August 30 MLS 26 | Inter Miami CF | 0–0 | Nashville SC | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium Attendance: 20,452 Referee: Chris Penso |
September 2 MLS 27 | Nashville SC | 1–1 | Charlotte FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 27,902 Referee: Alex Chilowicz |
September 20 MLS 28 | Sporting Kansas City | 0–3 | Nashville SC | Kansas City, Kansas |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 16,825 Referee: Victor Rivas |
September 23 MLS 29 | San Jose Earthquakes | 1–1 | Nashville SC | San Jose, California |
9:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: PayPal Park Attendance: 16,728 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
September 30 MLS 30 | Nashville SC | 0–0 | Seattle Sounders FC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 28,291 Referee: Chris Penso |
October 4 MLS 31 | Nashville SC | 0–1 | Orlando City SC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 25,273 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
October 7 MLS 32 | Philadelphia Union | 0–0 | Nashville SC | Chester, Pennsylvania |
6:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Subaru Park Attendance: 19,387 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
October 14 MLS 33 | Nashville SC | 3–2 | New England Revolution | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 27,780 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. | ||
Note: Match rescheduled from August 20 due to Nashville SC's participation in the Leagues Cup final. |
October 21 MLS 34 | Nashville SC | 0–1 | New York Red Bulls | Nashville, Tennessee |
5:00 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 27,875 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
MLS Cup Playoffs
[edit]October 30 Round One | Orlando City SC | 1–0 | Nashville SC | Orlando, Florida |
7:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Exploria Stadium Attendance: 19,744 Referee: Armando Villarreal |
November 7 Round One | Nashville SC | 0–1 | Orlando City SC | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:00 pm EST | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 25,315 Referee: Allen Chapman | ||
Note: Orlando City SC won the series 2–0. |
U.S. Open Cup
[edit]April 26 Third round | Nashville SC (MLS) | 1–0 | San Antonio FC (USLC) | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 5,467 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
May 10 Round of 32 | Nashville SC (MLS) | 2–0 | FC Dallas (MLS) | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 5,196 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
May 23 Round of 16 | Inter Miami CF (MLS) | 2–1 | Nashville SC (MLS) | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
6:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium Attendance: 2,244 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
Leagues Cup
[edit]Central 4
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TOL | NAS | COL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage | — | — | 4–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3–4 | — | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0 | — | — | — |
July 23 | Nashville SC ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 16,087 Referee: David Gómez |
July 27 | Nashville SC ![]() | 3–4 | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 19,817 Referee: Ricardo Montero |
Knockout stage
[edit]August 4 R32 | FC Cincinnati ![]() | 1–1 (4–5 p) | ![]() | Cincinnati, Ohio |
7:00 p.m. CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: TQL Stadium Attendance: 19,911 Referee: Nima Saghafi | |
Penalties | ||||
August 8 R16 | Nashville SC ![]() | 2–2 (6–5 p) | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:00 p.m. CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 24,662 Referee: Selvin Brown |
Penalties | ||||
August 11 QF | Nashville SC ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 19,915 Referee: Juan Calderón |
August 15 SF | Monterrey ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
9:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 27,732 Referee: Walter López |
August 19 F | Nashville SC ![]() | 1–1 (9–10 p) | ![]() | Nashville, Tennessee |
8:00 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States) | ||
Penalties | ||||
Players and staff
[edit]Roster
[edit]Coaching staff
[edit]- As of May 16, 2023[18]
Technical Staff | |
---|---|
Head coach | Gary Smith |
Assistant coach | Steve Guppy |
Assistant coach | Kosuke Kimura |
Goalkeeping coach | Matt Pickens |
References
[edit]- ^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record". Soccer America. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Hills, Drake (October 15, 2022). "Nashville SC 2022 season ends with 1-0 loss to LA Galaxy in MLS Cup Playoffs". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Bogert, Tom (February 19, 2023). "Nashville SC 2023 Season Preview". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Hills, Drake (January 23, 2023). "Three key position battles to watch for Nashville SC in 2023 preseason". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "MLS MVP: Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar wins award in landslide". ESPN. November 1, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Hills, Drake (December 20, 2022). "Nashville SC MLS schedule 2023: Here's all 34 regular season games, starting Feb. 25". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Nashville Soccer Club Announces 2023 Preseason Schedule" (Press release). Nashville SC. January 6, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Hills, Drake (March 9, 2023). "Nashville SC unveils 2023 Leagues Cup schedule for games vs. Colorado Rapids, Toluca". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (August 20, 2023). "Messi scores, Callender shines, Inter Miami wins Leagues Cup in 11-round PK shootout". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Explained". Nashville SC. April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Sklar, Sam (August 15, 2023). "Inter Miami, Lionel Messi to face Nashville SC on the road in Leagues Cup final". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Shames, Jacob (October 27, 2023). "Why Nashville SC feels 'no stress' going into fourth MLS Cup Playoffs in four seasons". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Shames, Jacob (November 7, 2023). "Nashville SC eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs after being shut out by Orlando City". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "2023 MLS Preseason Schedule and Results". MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "Nashville SC Roster". NashvilleSC.com. Nashville SC. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "Nashville SC Roster". The Athletic. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Mohr, Dani (April 25, 2023). "Nashville SC trades CJ Sapong in exchange for Toronto FC's Lukas MacNaughton". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "Technical Staff". NashvilleSC.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.