MLS Realigns Conferences For 2022, Nashville Moves To Western Conference

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Major League Soccer has announced changes for the 2022 season, including scheduling changes and a realignment of the conferences. As such, Nashville SC will be moved to the Western Conference after being in the Eastern Conference for the past two seasons.

To best align with the 2022 international soccer calendar, the MLS regular season will begin earlier than ever before, kicking off on Saturday, Feb. 26. The season will run through Decision Day, the regular season finale, on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Following three consecutive weeks of Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs action, the MLS Cup will be played on Saturday, Nov. 5, more than two weeks prior to the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 21 and more than a week prior to the player release date on Nov. 14.

MLS also confirmed that Charlotte FC, set to begin play as Major League Soccer’s 28th team, will compete in the Eastern Conference, resulting in two conferences of 14 teams each.

All teams will play a 34-game regular season–17 home games, 17 away games–facing each of their conference opponents two times and playing eight non-conference opponents once.

The MLS regular season schedule will consist of all weekend matches with the exception of no more than five midweek matches–targeting one each in May, June and July, and two in August. The midweek match dates for each team will not be scheduled in consecutive weeks.

The full MLS regular season schedule will be announced later this year.

Nashville SC Secure Home Game For First Round Of Playoffs

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Nashville Soccer Club has officially clinched a home playoff game after the Atlanta United FC and New York Red Bulls match ended in a draw on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

NSC will host Round One of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs at Nissan Stadium after the upcoming international break. The exact date, time and ticketing information will be announced at a later date.

This is the second consecutive year the club has a home playoff game in the first round of the playoffs.

The club officially clinched a berth in the 2021 MLS Playoffs after its historic 6-3 victory over FC Cincinnati on Oct. 27, combined with the result of Columbus Crew defeating Orlando City SC on Oct. 27.

Nashville SC, who currently sit at third in the Eastern Conference at 12-17-4, has been impeccable in Music City, owning the longest active unbeaten home streak in MLS with 17. This streak dates back to last season with a 3-0 victory in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs over Inter Miami CF at Nissan Stadium.

The Boys in Gold are set to face the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Nissan Stadium for the final match of the regular season.

Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar, Walker Zimmerman Among Top Sold Jerseys In 2021

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The MLS has announced the top-selling jerseys for the 2021 season and Nashville Soccer Club’s Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman were among the most sold. Zimmerman had the 17th most sold jersey while Mukhtar has the 25th.

Zimmerman was the 2020 MLS Defensive Player of the Year and a 2021 MLS All-Star. Mukhtar currently leads the club in goals and assists and his making his case for the 2021 MVP.

Nashville SC just clinched their spot in the 2021 MLS Playoffs with a 6-3 win against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The club is in its second season in the MLS and is only one of four clubs in history to make it to back-to-back playoffs in its first two seasons of existence.

The rankings are based on overall retail sales of Adidas MLS jerseys on MLSstore.com since the beginning of 2021.

2021 Best-Selling MLS Jerseys:
1. Josef Martínez (Atlanta United)
2. Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders FC)
3. Carlos Vela (LAFC)
4. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández (LA Galaxy)
5. Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)
6. Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)
7. Miles Robinson (Atlanta United)
8. Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)
9. Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
10. Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy)
11. Nani (Orlando City)
12. Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
13. Cecilio Domínguez (Austin FC)
14. Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United FC)
15. Brenner (FC Cincinnati)
16. Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew)
17. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
18. Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City)
19. Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
20. Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union)
21. Gonzalo Higuaín (Inter Miami CF)
22. Diego Chará (Portland Timbers)
23. Alex Ring (Austin FC)
24. Tomás Pochettino (Austin FC)
25. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Nashville SC Clinches The MLS Playoffs For Second Year Straight

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In just its second season, Nashville Soccer Club has clinched a playoff berth in the 2021 MLS Playoffs after Nashville’s huge 6-3 comeback against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 27 and Columbus Crew defeating Orlando City.

Nashville SC becomes just the fourth team in the modern MLS expansion era to reach the post-season in back-to-back seasons of existence. 

“This group of players and coaches continue to rise to the occasion and meet each challenge in front of them, and we are so proud of them. To give this opportunity to the fans of this club is very special and want to congratulate everyone who supports this club on and off the field.” says Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs.

With the victory, NSC improves its record to 12W-4L-16D and 52 points. Nashville SC have been impeccable in Music City, owning the longest active unbeaten home streak in MLS with 17 consecutive home match wins, dating back to last season with a victory in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs over Inter Miami CF.

In Wednesday night’s game, NSC was down 3-1 at one point and went into halftime down 3-2 after a Randall Leal goal. Late in the second half, the Boys in Gold blew the doors wide open with a Charles Sapong equalizing goal in the 71st minute. Leal would score again in the 76th minute to give Nashville the lead and eventual win. Ake Arnaud Loba scored the fifth goal of the night, his first with Nashville, and Sapong added insult to injury with his second goal of the night in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, handing NSC a 6-3 win.

MVP Candidate Hany Mukhtar entered Wednesday’s match ranking third in MLS in goals & assists with 23, tied for seventh in MLS in goals with 13, fourth in shots with 84, and third in shots on target with 39. He also leads Nashville SC in these respective categories as well as assists. Mukhtar added to his assist total this season with three on the evening.

Nashville SC will play its final two matches of the regular season against Orlando on Sunday, Oct. 31 in Florida and then against the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 7 at Nissan Stadium.

Nashville SC To Hold Watch Party At Nudie’s For Upcoming Match At Cincinnati

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Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC and MLS

Nashville SC is heading to Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 27 with big playoff implications on the line, and fans will be gathering at Nudie’s Honky Tonk in Nashville to cheer on the Boys in Gold. The watch party will be hosted by the club at 5:30 p.m. and all ages are invited to attend.

The Nashville SC Street Team will be on site with giveaways, including a free 2021 team poster for all party attendees while supplies last. Fans can also enjoy Nudie’s drink deals like $30 for six domestics beers and $35 for six premiums beers.

The club is looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Philadelphia FC on Saturday (Oct. 23). NSC has 49 points and slipped into third place after the loss. However, Philadelphia also has 49 points, meaning Nashville could get back into second place if the right pieces fall in place.

Nashville still only sports four losses this season and are tied for the fewest in all of MLS, along with the New England Revolution.

Nashville SC takes on FC Cincinnati for the third and final time in the 2021 season. Nashville SC is unbeaten all-time in MLS play against FC Cincinnati owning a record of 1W-0L-1D. In the last meeting on July 24, Nashville SC earned a 3-0 victory at Nissan Stadium thanks to a brace from CJ Sapong and a tally from Randall Leal. Nashville SC has out-shot on target FC Cincinnati 17-2 so far this season.

After Wednesday’s match, Nashville SC will only have two games left before the MLS Postseason begins. The Boys in Gold will play at Orlando on Oct. 31 and will finish the season at Nissan Stadium against the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 7.

Analysis: Nashville SC To Face Challenges In Final Stretch Of MLS Season

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Pictured: Nashville SC being led out of the Nissan Stadium tunnel by team captain Dax McCarty and goalkeeper Joe Willis. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC/MLS

The final international break of the MLS season has come to an end and players will be back for their clubs for the final stretch of the regular season. Nashville SC’s final six games will be a true test for the second year franchise as they play four of these final games on the road against teams set for the playoffs or fighting for a spot.

Nashville SC currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with 47 points and a record of 11W-3L-14D. The Boys in Gold have the the fewest losses in all of MLS, a testament to the team’s stellar defense from USMNT captain Walker Zimmerman and goalkeeper Joe Willis, who leads the lead in clean sheets with 12. NSC also has the second best goal differential in the league with 20.

But the star of the team this season has been Hany Mukhtar who is making his case for the MVP with 13 goals and eight assists. Mukhtar gave the club its first ever hat trick against Chicago in July, which was also the fastest hat trick in MLS history. Nashville SC has put themselves in a great spot to make a run in the MLS Playoffs in November, but they still have six games to go against some highly competitive and talented teams.

Nashville will head to the nation’s Capital on Saturday, Oct. 16 as they face D.C. United. The club beat D.C. 5-2 in it’s last matchup in August, but this time around the stakes are much higher for the United as they sit in fifth place in the standings with 40 points. NYCFC and CF Montreal, who are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, also have 40 points. D.C. will definitely want a few wins to give them some breathing room between them and the rest of the pack to secure a playoff spot. D.C. also has one of the MVP frontrunners Ola Kamara who leads in goals (17) and minutes per goal(79).

Hany Mukhtar. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC?MLS

The Boys in Gold will come back to Nissan Stadium on Oct. 20 to play defending MLS Champion Columbus Crew, who are currently out of the playoff picture in 10th place. The Crew have 34 points, six points behind the Montreal who holds the last playoff spot. Nashville drew against Columbus in July 0-0.

After the game in Music City, Nashville SC will head to Philadelphia to face on the third place Philadelphia Union who have 45 points, just two points shy of Nashville. New England is sitting pretty in first with 65 points, so the odds of Philly or Nashville taking first is unlikely. However, a fight for second will be extremely contentious as both teams will want the better seed in the playoffs.

The Unions goalkeeper Andre Blake has 10 clean sheets this season along with 3.2 saves per match. He will be attempting to play his best against Nashville’s versatile offense when they meet in Philadelphia on Oct. 23.

The club then heads back to Ohio to play last place FC Cincinnati. Cincy has only 20 points this season, the least of any team in the league. Nashville drew 2-2 against them in the season opener and then won 3-0 in July. Hopefully Nashville can take advantage of Cincinnati’s weak team to pick up three points.

NSC will fly to Orlando for the last away match of the regular season to face Orlando City on Halloween evening. Orlando is also trying to work its way up the playoff standings, sitting in fourth behind Philadelphia with 42 points. When Orlando came to Nashville in late September, the match ended in a 2-2 draw after Brian Anunga scored the equalizer in the 90th minute, sucking the air out of Nissan Stadium.  A win in Orlando can be a huge momentum booster going into November for Nashville.

Finally, NSC will play its final game of the regular season at home against the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 7. The Red Bulls are sitting in ninth place with 37 points, three point out of the final playoff spot. The Red Bulls are a club who has consistently put a solid team on the pitch year in and year out. New York beat Nashville 2-0 at Red Bull Arena in June, handing NSC its first loss of the season. By this point in the season, the game may not matter for Nashville if they can pick up wins in the previous matches, but it most likely will matter for the Red Bulls as they attempt to solidify a playoff spot.

Captain’s Club Section At New Nashville Soccer Club Stadium On Sale Now

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Nashville Soccer Club announced that the Captain’s Club section is now on sale to the general public. The Captain’s Club section provides a unique experience for soccer fans, offering a premium match day experience  that highlights the most historic team captains from around the globe.

In the Captain’s Club section, fans can enjoy an all-inclusive food and beverage package that includes beer and wine, as well as private access to The Captain’s Club, and a dedicated seat just outside of the Club with excellent views of the pitch.

Nashville SC previously released other premium seating options for the new stadium, including Loge Boxes and the Premier Club, as well as WeHo Club and The Goal Post Club.

Fans interested in purchasing seats in the Captain’s Club for next season can click here..

Fans who purchase memberships for the Captain’s Club section will receive the following benefits:

  • All-inclusive food and beverage, including beer and wine
  • Private Captain’s Club access
  • Same seats for all NSC regular season home matches and playoff options
  • Invitations to exclusive team events
  • Merchandise discount
  • N Business Membership
  • Personalized, exclusive merchandise & gift program
  • Preferred pricing for non-matchday private event rental space

Walker Zimmerman, Alistair Johnston, More Called Up For World Cup Qualifiers

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Walker Zimmerman. Photo: Courtesy of MLS

Nashville Soccer Club defender Walker Zimmerman along with Aníbal Godoy (Panama), Randall Leal (Costa Rica), and Alistair Johnston (Canada) have been called up by their respective international teams to play in the upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches.

Zimmerman was recently called in for the previous round of World Cup Qualifying matches, and is coming off a 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup call up. The reigning MLS Defender of the Year started all three matches in the opening round while captaining the National Team for the final two matches.

The July 16 Gold Cup match against Martinique was the first time Zimmerman had worn the captain’s band for the USMNT in his career while leading the U.S. to a 6-1 victory. Zimmerman enters this slate of qualifying matches with 17 international caps for the United States.

Johnston has been at the heart of the Canadian squad this year earning his first international call-up in January, now accumulating 13 caps in this calendar year alone. He’s appeared in 13 matches for the Canadian National Team, which owns a record of 9W-2L-2D with a goal differential of + 31 and six clean sheets. Johnston played every minute for Canada in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, leading the squad to the Semi-final round against Mexico.

Godoy earned his 105th international cap in June when Panama faced Mexico in an international friendly at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. In his last nine appearances with Panama, they have amassed a 5W-1L-3D record. Overall, Godoy has earned 108 caps.

Leal has earned 20 caps with the Costa Rican National Team since making his debut on Sept. 7, 2018. Most recently, Leal appeared in the Concacaf Nations League Finals, where he squared off against Mexico and Honduras in June before facing his Nashville SC teammate Zimmerman and the USMNT in an international friendly.

The U.S. opens the three-match set at home on Thursday, Oct. 7 against Jamaica in Austin. Three days later, the USA travels to face Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, and then closes out the window with its first visit to Lower.com Field in Columbus to take on Costa Rica on Oct. 13.