2023 Nashville SC season
The 2023 Nashville SC season is 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]
| 2023 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 club moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the 2023 season and will play 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 is also scheduled to participate in the Leagues Cup, a knockout competition for all MLS and Liga MX clubs in July and August, and were drawn into a group with the Colorado Rapids and Deportivo Toluca F.C.[8] The club entered the U.S. Open Cup in the third round and advanced to the Round of 16.[9]
Non-competitive matches
    
    Preseason
    
During the preseason, Nashville SC had a 3–2–1 record.[10]
| 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
    
    Major League Soccer
    
Standings
    
| 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 | |
| 11 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 50 | −2 | 50 | |
| 12 | Nashville SC (T) | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 49 | Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[lower-alpha 1] | 
| 13 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC (V, T) | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 55 | 48 | +7 | 48 | Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[lower-alpha 2] | 
| 14 | FC Dallas | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 37 | +4 | 46 | 
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)
(T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated; (V) Canadian Championship winner
Notes:
- As 2023 Leagues Cup runner-up
- As 2023 Canadian Championship winners
Match results
    
| 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  19' Picault  56' Moore  60' Godoy  77' Bunbury  80' Mukhtar  90+7' | Report | Yeboah  2' Vallecilla  5' Morris  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  43' | Report | Norris  9' (o.g.) Mukhtar  77' Greguš  88' Washington  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
    
| October 30 Round One | Orlando City SC | v | Nashville SC | Orlando, Florida | 
| 19:00 EDT | Stadium: Exploria Stadium | 
| November 7 Round One | Nashville SC | v | Orlando City SC | Nashville, Tennessee | 
| 19:00 EST | Stadium: Geodis Park | 
U.S. Open Cup
    
| 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
    
Central 4
    
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TOL | NAS | COL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Toluca | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage | — | — | 4–1 | |
| 2 |  Nashville SC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3–4 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 3 |  Colorado Rapids | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0 | — | — | — | 
| July 23 | Nashville SC   | 2–1 |  Colorado Rapids | Nashville, Tennessee | 
| 7:30 p.m. CDT | 
 | Report | 
 | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 16,087 Referee: David Gómez | 
| July 27 | Nashville SC   | 3–4 |  Toluca | Nashville, Tennessee | 
| 7:30 p.m. CDT | 
 | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 19,817 Referee: Ricardo Montero | 
Knockout stage
    
| August 4 R32 | FC Cincinnati   | 1–1 (4–5 p) |  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   | 2–2 (6–5 p) |  América | 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 |  Minnesota United FC | Nashville, Tennessee | 
| 7:30 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 19,915 Referee: Juan Calderón | 
| August 15 SF | Monterrey   | 0–2 |  Nashville SC | 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) |  Inter Miami CF | Nashville, Tennessee | 
| 8:00 p.m. CDT | Report | Stadium: Geodis Park Attendance: 30,109 Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States) | ||
| Penalties | ||||
Players and staff
    
    Roster
    
Coaching staff
    
- As of May 16, 2023[14]
| Technical Staff | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Gary Smith | 
| Assistant coach | Steve Guppy | 
| Assistant coach | Kosuke Kimura | 
| Goalkeeping coach | Matt Pickens | 
References
    
- 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.
- "2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Explained". Nashville SC. April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- "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.



















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