How Nashville SC's home atmosphere could play a key role in its drive for the MLS Cup title
If there is an ideal place for Nashville SC to return to its winning ways, it’s GEODIS park.
Nashville entered Saturday’s match at GEODIS Park against D.C. United wading through a two-game losing skid but riding a seven-game unbeaten streak at home, and they were keen on maintaining it.
For a team eyeing the playoffs and cup wins, winning at home matters. It provides momentum. And it’s the difference between an early playoff exit and an opportunity for Nashville to host the franchise's first playoff game.
After a pair of losses in which Nashville conceded three goals and scored zero, a return to familiar scenery was necessary.
“Coming back here was really the tonic that everyone needed,” coach Gary Smith said. “We’ve done well here. We’ve played with a lot of desire and passion."
The result was a convincing 2-0 victory over D.C. . And Nashville SC (11-5-5, 38 points) had its fans to thank.
"The atmosphere is fantastic," Smith said. "The supporters and the fans here have done a wonderful job of really galvanizing the group and making this place a very tough environment to play in now. And what comes of that is that energy that flows out of the group. And from the very outset, we jumped on top of a good side.”
If Nashville can stay in the top four in the conference and clinch home-field advantage for the first time in franchise history, their fans could finally have a chance to help take the team deep into the playoffs and reach heights it hasn’t seen.
In 2022, Nashville felt the immediate effects of inconsistency at home, going winless for six straight outings from July to August. It ended the season as a fifth seed — a point short of home field advantage.
Before GEODIS opened, Nashville lost in both the 2020 and 2021 playoffs on the road, a product of its infancy as a franchise and unfortunate winless streaks that led to low seeding. This year, things have changed. Nashville is 7-2-1 at home.
“We are making this stadium very strong,” Randall Leal said. “When teams come here, they always know it’s gonna be difficult for them — and this is good for us.”
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From the opening kickoff, Nashville was particularly aggressive in searching for its first goal in two games, imbued with energy they took from the crowd. Leal scored in just the second minute of regulation, but Hany Mukhtar’s position offside kept the score even. Still, Nashville and Leal set a tone they maintained for the entire night, taking an early lead and defeating D.C. United (7-9-5, 26 points). Leal scored both goals.
Against D.C. United, Nashville was more like itself. Mukhtar initiated the offense and helped his offense thrive after two straight nights without a goal or an assist. The offense dominated possession thanks to a strong defense and a measured attack. With two saves, Joe Willis notched his first clean sheet since May.
“The guys stepped up to the plate,” Smith said. “There was some fantastic performances, there were some real genuine displays and great character.”
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Nashville SC's home atmosphere is a key in its MLS playoff bid
