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Nashville SC

Preview: Nashville SC in Search of Three-Match Winning Streak

April 18, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club will look to continue its fine run of form on the road this Saturday evening at Charleston Battery. Coming off back-to-back clean sheets against Ottawa Fury FC and Memphis 901 FC, Nashville is playing its best soccer early in the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.

How to Follow

Local TV: MyTV30

Digital: ESPN+

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @NashvilleSC

Last Time Out

Nashville SC stuck its stake in the ground in the Tennessee rivalry last Saturday night at First Tennessee Park against Memphis 901 FC. Despite dominating the game for the bulk of the first 75 minutes, Nashville found itself locked in a 0-0 game against Memphis. A bolt of lightning then struck over the stadium, and it was a harbinger of what was immediately to follow.

First, Matt LaGrassa got behind the defense to nutmeg the keeper and score the opener. Then three minutes later, Ropapa Mensah doubled the lead and sealed the win with a goal from a corner kick.

Postmatch protests from Memphis didn't change the scoreline as Nashville took away three points in the first iteration of the rivalry for state bragging rights.

Scouting Charleston

The Charleston Battery is one of the most historic clubs in the USL Championship, having existed since 1993 when the club was founded. It is one of the oldest clubs in the entirety of U.S. soccer. It has won four league championships, the last in 2012, and is the most recent non-MLS U.S. Open Cup finalist, advancing to the championship in 2008.

None of that history counts this season however, but Charleston has gotten off to a good start, especially at home, with a record of 2-1-2 through five games. The Battery suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend on the road with a 3-1 loss to Bethlehem Steel FC, but already have two home wins this year over Hartford Athletic and Charlotte Independence. Charleston has scored in each of its five games this season and has scored seven goals while allowing six.

It appears the Battery will be without two of their best offensive weapons for this game in Ataulla Guerra and Ian Svantesson. Guerra, who scored 15 goals for the club in 2018, has yet to appear for Charleston this season and fellow forward Ian Svantesson was injured is the Battery's previous game and is unlikely to play. One player Nashville SC fans might remember is Tah Anunga, the central midfield rock for the Battery. The 22-year-old Anunga should again patrol the midfield on Saturday for the Battery as he looks to build on a solid start to his season.

Storylines to Watch

First three-match win streak - Through its first 39 matches of its USL Championship history, Nashville SC has never had a three-match league winning streak. The current two-match winning streak ties the previous most, accomplished twice in 2018. Another road win on Saturday would give NSC nine points through three matches, another first for the club.

Scoring goals late - Nashville SC fans are familiar with the Boys in Gold scoring dramatic late goals. Last season, Nashville scored 16 goals after the 75' minute, a whopping 37.2% of its total goal tally. So far in 2019, that trend has continued as Nashville has scored three of its eight goals after the 75' minute, 37.5%.

Going streaking - Nashville SC has had one of the best defenses in the USL Championship so far this season, tied for the fewest goals allowed in league play, 2. The defense hasn't allowed a goal since the 55' minute against New York Red Bulls II, a streak that has lasted 215 minutes. If Nashville keeps the Battery from scoring through the first 78 minutes, it will break its previous best streak of 292 minutes set midway through the 2018 campaign.

White and gold - With Charleston in its home black and yellow kits, Nashville SC will debut its new white and gold kits for the first time in 2019 on Saturday. Fans can purchase a white kit now in the online shop and get a discount as all merch is discounted 20% off the rest of the week.

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