In addition to their end-of-season roster decisions, Nashville SC announced that goalkeeper Joe Willis and center-back Dave Romney have signed contract extensions to remain in Nashville. The pair were the only players to play every minute of the 2020 season for Nashville, and were crucial to Nashville finishing as the best defense in MLS expansion history.
Willis was acquired from Houston Dynamo in a trade immediately following the Expansion Draft. He saved 78 of the 102 shots he faced, and allowed just 24 goals in 25 matches. Willis’s extension is through 2022, with a club option for 2023.
Dave Romney was acquired from LA Galaxy for $250,000 in General Allocation Money. The center-back was a prime example of Nashville and Mike Jacobs’ philosophy of “valuing the undervalued”. After playing sporadically in LA (and largely out of position as a left-back), Romney immediately slotted into a crucial role in Nashville, where he and Walker Zimmerman formed one of the better center-back partnerships in the league. Romney’s extension is through 2023, with a club option for 2024.
The pair will stay in Nashville long-term, along with Walker Zimmerman, who signed a long-term extension in August. Along with Alistair Johnston, whose option was exercised, and Dan Lovitz, whose contract was guaranteed through 2021, Nashville will have their goalkeeper and back four return for their second year in MLS.
Current roster
Goalkeepers (3): Joe Willis, Elliot Panicco, Brady Scott
Defenders (7): Jalil Anibaba, Alistair Johnston, Dan Lovitz, Jack Maher, Miguel Nazarit, Dave Romney, and Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders (11): Brian Anunga, Handwalla Bwana, AnÃbal Godoy, Luke Haakenson, Derrick Jones, Matt LaGrassa, Randall Leal, Dax McCarty, Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl, and Taylor Washington
Forwards (5): David Accam, Dominique Badji, Abu Danladi, Jhonder Cádiz and Daniel RÃos
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