It’s time for Late Night with Nashville SC.
Nashville SC is looking to rebound on Saturday when it travels West to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT.
The Boys in Gold have started this season with four points through three road matches. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake is riding high after a 3-2 comeback win in snowy New England.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s match.
Date: Saturday, March 19
Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
Location: Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
TV: MyTV30*
Local Stream: NashvilleSC.com/stream
Out-of-market Stream: ESPN+
English Radio: iHeartRadio Online
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7
Watch Party Pres. By Scofflaw: Neighbors Germantown
*PROGRAMMING NOTE: This Saturday's #RSLvNSH prematch show will begin exclusively on NashvilleSC.com/stream at 8 p.m. CT. Match coverage will begin on MyTV30 and the web stream at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Bounce Back – The Boys in Gold will be looking to do something they only had to do four times in 2021: bounce back from a loss.
Nashville has come out strong immediately following losses in its MLS tenure. The club has not lost back-to-back matches since August 2020. In 2021, Nashville won all four matches it played following losses.
Head Coach Gary Smith says the club was prepared for a tough stretch during the club’s season-opening road trip, and that it hasn’t counted itself out, even in defeat.
“We've got an eight-match stretch here that we’ve got to try and navigate,” Smith said. “I think we all felt that there were going to be some tough weekends like last weekend. This time of year, everyone can be champions, everyone can win their conference, and everyone wants to get one over you in their early home games. There were always going to be some tough encounters. There were always going to be wrinkles to iron out. But I’m most pleased that the guys have stayed healthy. In certainly not our best performance at the weekend, we were in the game for a long period of time. If you look at the goals we’ve conceded, I think we can count ourselves pretty unfortunate.”
Building Up the Attack – Nashville SC’s attack will be seeking to find the back of the net again after it was held goalless for the first time in 2022 on Saturday at FC Dallas.
Forward CJ Sapong said the attack is still working on its cohesion after shifting into a new formation to start this season.
“I think this season we’re in a position to be more well-balanced,” Sapong said. “Once we can nail down that structure and the new guys start to understand the system, I think we’ll be able to have productive output up top and a more defined attacking style.”
Old Friends, New Touchline – Smith and Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni have plenty of history.
Mastroeni was the captain of the Colorado Rapids when Smith coached the team from 2008-2011. The duo helped guide the club to its first and only MLS Cup title in 2010.
Smith says he has lots of respect for his old skipper in his new role as a manager.
“I think the opportunity Pablo has found himself in has put him in a really nice position,” Smith said. “He’s done a fabulous job, takes them on a wonderful run towards the end of the season, and they’ve started off in really good form. I have lots of respect for what he achieved as a player and a coach. I have to be on the ball with my finger on the pulse on this one.”
