2023 Nashville SC season

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Nashville SC
2023 season
General managerMike Jacobs
Head coachGary Smith
StadiumGeodis Park
MLSConference: 7th
Overall: 12th
MLS Cup PlayoffsRound One
U.S. Open CupRound of 16
Leagues CupRunners-up
Average home league attendance28,257[1]
← 2022
2024 →

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
February 7 Nashville SC NP Orlando City SC Tampa, Florida
Note: Canceled due to venue availability issues.
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]

MLS Eastern Conference table (2023)
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
Source: MLS
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)
Overall MLS standings table
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]
Source: MLS
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:
  1. ^ a b As one of the top seven teams in the overall table to not qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
  2. ^ As 2023 Leagues Cup runner-up
  3. ^ 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 Yellow card 19'
Picault 56'
Moore Yellow card 60'
Godoy Yellow card 77'
Bunbury 80'
Mukhtar 90+7'
Report Yeboah 2'
Vallecilla Yellow card 5'
Morris Yellow card 90'
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 25'
Norris Yellow card 43'
Report Norris 9' (o.g.)
Mukhtar 77'
Greguš Yellow card 88'
Washington Yellow card 90+6'
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 Mexico Toluca 2 2 0 0 0 8 4 +4 6 Advance to knockout stage 4–1
2 United States Nashville SC 2 1 0 0 1 5 5 0 3 3–4 2–1
3 United States Colorado Rapids 2 0 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0
Source: Leagues Cup
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
July 23 Nashville SC United States 2–1 United States Colorado Rapids Nashville, Tennessee
7:30 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 16,087
Referee: David Gómez
July 27 Nashville SC United States 3–4 Mexico Toluca 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 United States 1–1
(4–5 p)
United States Nashville SC Cincinnati, Ohio
7:00 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 19,911
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Penalties
August 8 R16 Nashville SC United States 2–2
(6–5 p)
Mexico América Nashville, Tennessee
7:00 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 24,662
Referee: Selvin Brown
Penalties
August 11 QF Nashville SC United States 5–0 United States Minnesota United FC Nashville, Tennessee
7:30 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 19,915
Referee: Juan Calderón
August 15 SF Monterrey Mexico 0–2 United States Nashville SC Nashville, Tennessee
9:30 p.m. CDT
Report
Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 27,732
Referee: Walter López

Players and staff[edit]

Roster[edit]

As of May 16, 2023[15][16]
Squad no. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Previous club Notes
1 Joe Willis  United States GK (1988-08-10) August 10, 1988 (age 35) United States Houston Dynamo FC
2 Daniel Lovitz  United States DF (1991-08-27) August 27, 1991 (age 32) Canada CF Montréal
3 Lukas MacNaughton  Canada DF (1995-03-08) March 8, 1995 (age 29) Canada Toronto FC
4 Nick DePuy  United States DF (1994-11-14) November 14, 1994 (age 29) United States LA Galaxy
5 Jack Maher  United States DF (1999-10-28) October 28, 1999 (age 24) United States Indiana Hoosiers GA
6 Dax McCarty  United States MF (1987-04-30) April 30, 1987 (age 36) United States Chicago Fire
7 Fafà Picault  United States FW (1991-02-23) February 23, 1991 (age 33) United States Houston Dynamo
8 Randall Leal  Costa Rica FW (1997-01-14) January 14, 1997 (age 27) Costa Rica Saprissa
10 Hany Mukhtar  Germany MF (1995-03-21) March 21, 1995 (age 29) Denmark Brøndby DP
11 Ethan Zubak  United States FW (1998-04-15) April 15, 1998 (age 26) United States LA Galaxy HG
12 Teal Bunbury  United States FW (1990-02-27) February 27, 1990 (age 34) United States New England Revolution
13 Joey Skinner  United States DF (2003-03-28) March 28, 2003 (age 21) United States Clemson Tigers GA
14 Jacob Shaffelburg  Canada FW (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 24) Canada Toronto FC
16 Laurence Wyke  England DF (1996-09-20) September 20, 1996 (age 27) United States Tampa Bay Rowdies
17 C. J. Sapong  United States FW (1988-12-27) December 27, 1988 (age 35) United States Chicago Fire Traded to Toronto FC on April 25, 2023.[17]
18 Shaq Moore  United States DF (1996-11-02) November 2, 1996 (age 27) Spain Tenerife
19 Alex Muyl  United States MF (1995-09-30) September 30, 1995 (age 28) United States New York Red Bulls HG
20 Aníbal Godoy  Panama MF (1990-02-10) February 10, 1990 (age 34) United States San Jose Earthquakes
21 Ahmed Longmire  United States DF (1999-10-11) October 11, 1999 (age 24) United States UCLA Bruins
22 Josh Bauer  United States DF (1998-07-22) July 22, 1998 (age 25) United States Atlanta United FC
23 Taylor Washington  United States DF (1993-08-16) August 16, 1993 (age 30) United States Nashville SC (USL)
24 Ján Greguš  Slovakia MF (1991-01-29) January 29, 1991 (age 33) United States San Jose Earthquakes
25 Walker Zimmerman  United States DF (1993-05-19) May 19, 1993 (age 30) United States Los Angeles FC DP
26 Luke Haakenson  United States MF (1997-09-10) September 10, 1997 (age 26) United States Creighton Bluejays
27 Brian Anunga  Cameroon MF (1996-08-10) August 10, 1996 (age 27) United States Charleston Battery
28 Tyler Freeman  United States FW (2003-01-09) January 9, 2003 (age 21) United States Loudoun United FC
29 Nebiyou Perry  United States FW (1999-10-02) October 2, 1999 (age 24) Sweden Östersunds FK
30 Elliot Panicco  United States GK (1996-11-18) November 18, 1996 (age 27) United States Charlotte 49ers
54 Sean Davis  United States MF (1993-02-08) February 8, 1993 (age 31) United States New York Red Bulls
67 Ben Martino  United States GK (2002-09-13) September 13, 2002 (age 21) United States Virginia Tech Hokies HG
91 Kemy Amiche  France MF (2000-12-10) December 10, 2000 (age 23) United States Campbell Fighting Camels

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]

  1. ^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record". Soccer America. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Bogert, Tom (February 19, 2023). "Nashville SC 2023 Season Preview". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Hills, Drake (January 23, 2023). "Three key position battles to watch for Nashville SC in 2023 preseason". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "MLS MVP: Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar wins award in landslide". ESPN. November 1, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Nashville Soccer Club Announces 2023 Preseason Schedule" (Press release). Nashville SC. January 6, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Hills, Drake (March 9, 2023). "Nashville SC unveils 2023 Leagues Cup schedule for games vs. Colorado Rapids, Toluca". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Explained". Nashville SC. April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "2023 MLS Preseason Schedule and Results". MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Nashville SC Roster". NashvilleSC.com. Nashville SC. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Nashville SC Roster". The Athletic. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Mohr, Dani (April 25, 2023). "Nashville SC trades CJ Sapong in exchange for Toronto FC's Lukas MacNaughton". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  18. ^ "Technical Staff". NashvilleSC.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.

External links[edit]