Boys in Gold in Good Form as Preseason Concludes 

February 21, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Nashville SC News Release

Concluding a grueling six-week preseason in Florida, Nashville SC is feeling confident with the regular season just days away.

The last preseason friendly, a 6-3 win over FC Cincinnati, allowed Head Coach Gary Smith and the Boys in Gold to get one more competitive performance ahead of Saturday’s 2023 MLS season opener at GEODIS Park against NYCFC. Tickets are still available here.

Positive Feedback

Smith said he was happy with the performance and how the group wrapped up preseason against an Eastern Conference foe, having moved back into the conference this season.

“A very productive way to end what has been a very challenging, hardworking and very positive preseason,” he said. “Cincinnati were an excellent test, and again, a local rivalry foe who we’re going to run into a couple of times back in the Eastern Conference this year.”

The substitutes coming off the bench continued to bring momentum and energy throughout the match.

Wholesale changes as we enter the final 30 minutes of today’s 120-minute friendly tied 3-3.

Current XI:

Panicco

Washington

Wyke

Bauer

Muyl

Anunga

Trialist

Trialist

Trialist

Haakenson

“I thought the guys that came on to see out some minutes and to extend their preseason work were absolutely dominant in the way that they went about it and took us into what was a very nice 6-3 victory to finish on a wonderful note,” Smith said. “We’ve made some very positive strides each time we’ve played throughout this preseason.”

Energy and Creativity

Smith mentioned the importance of scoring for the team and the key moments throughout the match.

“What was as encouraging as the goals were the other moments that were created in what we could class as our last dress rehearsal for the weekend,” Smith said. “Fafà [Picault] looked very bright, Teal [Bunbury] got himself into some good positions, Jacob [Shaffelburg] obviously got on the sheet, so there was a real edge to the game.”

The continuous work of the wingers on the flank created space and opportunities in the final third.

“We have some very effective wide players now in our group, and a lot of pace, so that can only be good for the group,” said Smith. “It helps stretch the game out and offer, you know, more pockets for the likes of Hany [Mukhtar] and Randall [Leal].”

According to Smith, Leal is set to take on a central role this season on the offensive end.

“If you think about some of the qualities that a central midfield player, a…