With the 2022 season just three days away, it’s time to dive into the biggest question before any season; what does success look like? Any team, player, or coach will tell you that success equates to winning a trophy, but it’s often more nuanced than that. For a Nashville SC team with a lot of changes and high expectations, it’s even more complicated. What does a successful season look like for the Coyotes?
Davey Shepherd: Like last year, I’ve placed loftier expectations than most. My threshold last season was “host a playoff game”. I think this season it’s more like “not hosting a home playoff game is never in doubt”. Maybe a better way of saying that is “they’ll be closer to first in the West than they will be to fourth.”
Jonathan Slape: It’s hard for me to say that they need to make it to the Western Conference Final because so much of the playoffs can be a crap shoot. When you look at the top teams in the West, Seattle is the only clear cut top team. So many others like Portland, Colorado, and Kansas City have more questions than answers after the off season. I think a top two finish in the Western Conference with a run in the Open Cup or Leagues Cup would be an unmitigated success.
Andy Simmons: Getting to the Western conference final should be the standard set for this side. Yes, the West has some heavy hitters in Seattle, Portland, Colorado, LAFC, but Gary Smith and Mike Jacobs have built this roster to succeed and succeed now. It’s time for Nashville SC to make the next step, and the Boys in Gold are more than capable of doing so.
Lucas Panzica: As far as the postseason run, success to me means to build upon what you have accomplished. After two straight seasons of falling in the conference semis (an impressive feat), success to me depends on if they can reach the next level of a conference final.
Chris Ivey: Another home playoff match. After that, MLS becomes a crap shoot. But a really successful season for Year Three would be seriously contending for silverware.
Ben Wright: 1) Host a home playoff game. 2) Average 25k+ in attendance. 3) Win at least 10 matches at home in 2022.
What is your definition for success in 2022? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
