October 26, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Nashville SC News Release
The final stretch is here.Â
Nashville SC (11W-4L-16D, 49 pts.) will play its third-to-last regular season match of 2021 on Wednesday night when it travels to Ohio to take on FC Cincinnati (4W-19L-8D, 20 pts.) at TQL Stadium.Â
The Boys in Gold are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat on the road at Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Nashville SC sits tied on points for second place in the Eastern Conference. With a win in Cincinnati, Nashville could potentially clinch an Audi MLS Cup Playoff berth and take another step towards securing a home playoff match.Â
Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday’s match:
Date:Â Wednesday, October 27
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
TV: MyTV30
Stream: Click Here
English Radio: ESPN 94.9
Spanish Radio: El Jefe 96.7Â
Watch Party
Countdown to Clinch - Nashville SC has the chance to clinch a spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a win and potential results around Major League Soccer.Â
Nashville would clinch a spot with a win vs. FC Cincinnati and one of the following:
NYCFC loss or draw vs. Chicago Fire FC
ORÂ
Atlanta United loss or draw vs. Inter Miami CF
OR
New York Red Bulls loss or draw vs. D.C. United
OR
Orlando City SC loss or draw vs. Columbus Crew
Nashville SC would also clinch a spot with a draw vs. FC Cincinnati and:
New York Red Bulls draw vs. D.C. United
AND
Atlanta United loss vs. Inter Miami CF
Bounce Back - Nashville is coming off a 1-0 defeat on the road at Philadelphia Union in a clash of top contenders for the top four playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Boys in Gold have won all three of its matches this season immediately following losses, scoring 13 total goals in those matches.Â
With three matches remaining in the regular season, Head Coach Gary Smith says Wednesday’s match should see the return of a few key pieces that missed the match in Pennsylvania.Â
“Daniel [Lovitz], very good chance that he’ll be available for us Wednesday, which will be great news,” Smith said. “Walker was kept out of the first half just purely to offer him the type of rest, if you like, not just knock him out completely. He came straight back from international duty, got straight on a plane to D.C., played mid-week, and I was just showing some caution there with a guy who is so valuable to us. So, no problem with what went on in his place. Jack [Maher] was terrific. The reason he came out is because he’s banging up some minutes as well. Hany [Mukhtar]’s back from suspension.Â
“You know, all in all, we should be somewhere close to full-strength on Wednesday, I’m hoping, and that in turn will offer the opportunity for some rotation, some rest for others to really rejuvenate the group for the final three games.”
Scouting the Orange and Blue - FC Cincinnati has endured another tough season in its third year in MLS. Sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, the Orange and Blue have earned just four wins this season, only one of which came at their brand-new TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.Â
Nashville and Cincinnati have met twice this season. In the season opener on April 17, Jhonder Cádiz and Randall Leal scored to earn a dramatic 2-2 comeback draw for Nashville. On July 24, Nashville secured a decisive 3-0 victory at Nissan Stadium, the Boys in Gold’s first over their rivals to the north.
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