Nashville SC officially clinch playoff spot in expansion season

Nashville SC are playoff bound. After their 1-0 win over Montreal on Tuesday night, losses from both Inter Miami and Atlanta United on Wednesday night guaranteed that the Boys In Gold would finish in a playoff spot.

Nashville SC are just the fourth team in the MLS expansion era to earn a playoff spot in their first year, as well as to earn 28 points from 20 matches.

“A great deal of congratulations needs to go to not only the players and staff of Nashville Soccer Club, but to all of the club’s supporters for their encouragement throughout the season,” said Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs. “Most expansion teams in any professional sports franchise are happy to simply be competitive in their first year, so to be able to advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs in our inaugural season is something special that everyone can share.”

Nashville missed the MLS is Back tournament due to a Covid outbreak within the team, but have found their form since the league resumed play. The expansion side has lost just four of their 18 matches since August, and going undefeated at Nissan Stadium since their 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on February 29. They’ve kept a league-high nine clean sheets, and have the third-fewest goals conceded in the Eastern conference.

“I am absolutely delighted for everyone at the club: players, ownership, staff, and the front office. Reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs is a wonderful achievement for everyone in our first season,” said head coach Gary Smith. “As we look into the next three matches, we must continue to push on, challenge the teams ahead of us and see what we can achieve this year. All in all, it’s a fabulous achievement.”

With three games left in the regular season, Nashville could finish as high as fifth place. They’ll take on Chicago Fire on Saturday, October 31 at Nissan Stadium.

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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