We’re continuing our Nashville SC report cards with a look at midfielder Dax McCarty.
Position:Â Defensive midfielder
Matches played:Â 24
Minutes played:Â 2,152
Goals:Â 2
Assists:Â 4
Goals added:Â 0.45 (19th among MLS midfielders)
xPass Score:Â 20.84Â (20th among MLS midfielders)
xG+xA:Â 3.14 (24th among MLS midfielders)
Average Speedway Soccer rating: 7.3
Average WhoScored rating: 6.9

What went right in 2020?
McCarty was signed to be the leader of this Nashville expansion side, both on and off the field. He didn’t disappoint. The club captain from day one, McCarty was always the first player to speak to the media, fielding questions after poor performances or moments bigger than the game itself.
On the field, McCarty was not just a leader, often acting as a second coach. He was incredibly effective. Still one of the best two-way midfielders in this league, his passing opened up space for Nashville in the final third, with his ability to break lines and find feet a crucial piece of Nashville’s game plan.
In addition to his passing, McCarty’s workrate was unmatched. He reads the game exceptionally well, and made breaking up play look much simpler than it really is with smart positioning. He was a foundational piece of Gary Smith’s tactic of winning the ball in midfield and immediately going to goal. Like this:
Or this:
McCarty pitched in with six goal contributions, scoring twice and assisting four more. In a side that struggled to score consistently, those contributions were vital, and gave Nashville an additional dimension.
What went wrong in 2020?
On the field, not much went wrong for McCarty. Personally, it was another season of coming close to an MLS Cup but coming up empty. For a player who’s nearing the end of his playing career, bowing out in extra time of the conference semi-finals was a gut punch. It will be little consolation, but McCarty’s performances in 2020 were stellar.
What needs to improve in 2021?
For McCarty, a successful 2021 would look nearly identical to 2020, perhaps with a trophy at the end of it. He’ll turn 34 midway through the year, and although he shows no sign of slowing down, age catches up with everyone.
With another crowded schedule on the horizon, McCarty will be asked to play plenty of minutes. He should be able to handle it, but keeping up the consistent level he’s expected to deliver will be crucial.
Most memorable moment
Contributing a goal and three assists in Nashville’s 4-2 win over Atlanta was a great moment, but his goal to ice the first playoff win in Nashville history was a fantastic piece of work.
#MLSAFTERDARK is Dax McCarty going on a half-field run and finish, I’m counting this. You can’t take this away from me #NSHvMIA pic.twitter.com/LZjKDS4uUj
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 21, 2020
2020 Grade: A

