One week after a Homecoming that turned heads across Nashville and around the globe, Nashville SC (3W-3L-3D, 12 pts.) returns to GEODIS Park once again for a matchup against Real Salt Lake (4W-2L-4D, 16 pts.).
The Boys in Gold are coming off an unforgettable match against the Philadelphia Union, which featured 30,109 in attendance in the club’s first-ever match at their new stadium. Winger Randall Leal scored the club’s first goal at GEODIS Park in the 85’ minute on a penalty, earning a 1-1 draw against the Eastern Conference leaders.
This Sunday, Real Salt Lake visits Nashville for the first time ever. It will be Nashville SC’s first Western Conference matchup at GEODIS Park. Click here to secure your tickets.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s match:
Date: Sunday, May 8
Time: 4:00 p.m. CT
Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tenn.)
TV: MyTV30
Local Stream: NashvilleSC.com/stream
Out-of-Market Stream: ESPN+
English Radio: iHeartRadio Online, Nashville SC App
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7 FM
Tickets
A-Z Matchday Guide
GEODIS Park Policies
Parking and Transportation Info
Matchday Lineup
Bring the Noise – Welcome to Nashville SC’s true home field advantage.
Nashville SC fans brought plenty of energy last Sunday in GEODIS Park’s debut, and they’ll do so again this Sunday. The new venue’s 360-degree canopy kept the noise in and made for an intimidating atmosphere. The atmosphere left an impression on Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin, who called it “as loud as any place we’ve ever been in.”
Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith, who has coached both in MLS and in English soccer, said the environment in GEODIS Park left an impression on him.
“The way that the atmosphere enveloped the group and engulfed the building,” Smith said. “The sound the fans around was bouncing off every single angle. That’s as good of an atmosphere as I’ve ever been involved in.”
Creating Chances – Nashville SC earned plenty of scoring chances from open play last Sunday before Leal’s spot kick.
The Boys in Gold outshot the Union 15-10, including six shots on target to Philadelphia’s five. If not for acrobatic saves by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake in the first half, midfielders Dax McCarty and Alex Muyl could have had electrifying first-half goals.
Muyl said he is confident in the team to turn those chances into goals this weekend.
“I think for us it’s important to see that we are creating a lot, and we’ll convert those,” Muyl said. “Sometimes it doesn’t go your way, and that’s how it felt today. The most important thing is that we’re creating chances.”
Real Reaction – Since Nashville and Real Salt Lake last faced off on March 19, a lot has changed in the form of both sides. Nashville has a 2W-1L-2D record since that match, while RSL owns a 1W-2L-3D record in league play, as well as a loss to USL League One side Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Real Salt Lake are coming off a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy at home last weekend.
RSL boasts a balanced attack with eight different goal scorers this season. Tate Schmitt and Bobby Wood are tied for the team lead with a pair of goals each.
Nashville is seeking its first win over Real Salt Lake, having gone 0W-1L-1D in its previous two meetings on the road. Defender Walker Zimmerman will look to score for the second straight meeting with RSL, having scored on a set piece at Rio Tinto Stadium right before he went off to FIFA World Cup Qualifying in March.
