Nashville SC to host both Leagues Cup group stage matches

NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC and Major League Soccer announced Thursday that Geodis Park will host both the club’s Leagues Cup matches, taking on Colorado Rapids on July 23 and Toluca on July 27.

From the press release:

For the first time, all LIGA MX and MLS clubs will pause their leagues’ action to compete in a World Cup-style tournament, Nashville SC has been placed in the Central Region in Group 4. The top two teams from the Central Region Group 4 based off points will advance to the Knockout Stage Round of 32 which will be played on Aug. 2-4.

The Leagues Cup 2023 groups were based on clubs’ 2022 performance along with their geographic regions. Nashville SC finished eighth in the Supporters’ Shield Standings, which resulted in the corresponding Central Region placement first, alongside the other top 15 MLS clubs. The champion, second and third place finishers of Leagues Cup 2023 will qualify for the Concacaf Champions League.

The knockout stage dates are as follows:

·         Round of 32: August 2-4

·        Round of 16: August 6-8

·         Quarterfinals: August 11-12

·         Semifinals: August 15

·         Final/3^rd Place: August 19

The Boys in Gold have faced Colorado twice in its MLS history owning a 2W-0L-0D record in MLS play, while outscoring the Rapids 7-2. Reigning MLS MVP and Golden Boot winner Hany Mukhtar has accounted for five of those goals, including a hat trick performance at GEODIS Park on Aug. 31, 2022.  

Nashville SC will face LIGA MX side Toluca for the first time in club history this summer. Last September, Nashville SC competed in its first-ever international competition against Club América of LIGA MX in the 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase Series earning a victory via penalty kicks (4-2) following a 3-3 draw in regulation time. 

All Leagues Cup matches will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, part of the league’s new TV deal. MLS also announced the full 2023 Leagues Cup bracket.

If Nashville advance from their group, they’d play either the winner or runner-up of group C3 in the Round of 32, comprised of Chivas Guadalajara, FC Cincinnati and Sporting Kansas City.

Nashville season ticket holders will have their tickets automatically included in their account and charged an additional amount. According to the club, season ticket holders will be able to opt out of these tickets between March 13-22.

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

Twitter