Nashville SC Makes Concacaf Champions Cup Debut

February 21, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Nashville SC News Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Boys in Gold make their 2024 season debut this week when they visit Liga Dominicana de Fútbol side Moca FC at Estadio Cibao for the first leg of the club’s Round One Concacaf Champions Cup match up.

Here are five things to know for Thursday’s match, airing live at 6 p.m. CT on FS2 and TUDN:

1. Thursday’s match marks Nashville SC’s debut in the historic Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC). The CCC began in 1962, and participating clubs qualified for this year’s competition through regional Cup competitions in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, along with domestic leagues and Cups in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Boys in Gold earned their first-ever berth in the CCC by reaching the final of the inaugural Leagues Cup 2023. Moca FC is also making its CCC debut after finishing in third place in the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

2. This year’s 27-club competition follows a direct elimination knockout stage format spanning five rounds. The first four of the competition’s total five rounds consist of a two-leg, home-away series decided on aggregate. If the scores are even after the second leg, away goals will serve as the first tiebreaker. If away goals are also even, extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shootout. The Cup Final, where the region’s Champion will be crowned, is played as a single-leg match.

3. Multiple Boys in Gold could be making their team debuts as Nashville SC takes the CCC stage for the first time on Thursday. This offseason, the club traded for LA Galaxy forward Tyler Boyd, who tied for the Galaxy’s lead in goals in 2023, New York Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood, and Charlotte FC forward McKinze Gaines. The team also signed MLS veterans Amar Sejdić (CF Montréal, Atlanta United FC) and Brent Kallman (Minnesota FC).

4. When the match kicks off on Thursday, the Boys in Gold will begin a run of three matches in six days to start their 2024 campaign. The club returns home on Sunday, Feb. 25 to host the New York Red Bulls at GEODIS Park at 4 p.m. CT for the team’s 2024 MLS home opener before welcoming Moca FC to Music City on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8:15 p.m. CT for the second leg of the Round One CCC series.

5. The 2024 campaign marks Nashville SC’s fifth season as an MLS club. The Boys in Gold are just the third team in league history to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of the club’s first four seasons,…