February 29, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Nashville SC News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 29, 2024) – Fresh off a Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC) Round One series clinching win over Dominican Side Moca FC at GEODIS Park on Wednesday, the Boys in Gold are headed west to face the Colorado Rapids for the team’s first MLS road match of the season.
Here are five things to know for Saturday’s match, airing live at 8:30 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and via Nashville SC’s flagship station, 104.5 the Zone’s stream:
1. Nashville SC’s Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series-clinching victory Wednesday night over Moca FC sets up a rematch of last year’s inaugural Leagues Cup Final against Inter Miami CF in the CCC Round of 16. The Boys in Gold will host Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m. CT for leg one of the two-leg, home-away series. Both Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF qualified for this year’s CCC by reaching last season’s Leagues Cup ’23 Final. Tickets for next Thursday’s Round of 16 home match go on sale for the general public on Friday, March 1 at 1 p.m. CT here.
2. Wednesday’s series-clinching win was a night of firsts for multiple Boys in Gold. Forward Forster Ajago netted the first two goals of his professional career in his Nashville SC debut, and forward McKinze Gaines scored his first goal and made his first start. Midfielder Amar Sejdićand defender Julian Gaines also made their club debuts, forward Jacob Shaffelburg added his first goal of the 2024 campaign, and goalkeeper Elliot Panicco recorded his first start and first clean sheet of the season.
3. The Boys in Gold are undefeated against the Rapids (2W-0L-0D in MLS play, 3W-0L-0D in all competitions) and hold an overall MLS record of 17W-12L-14D against Western Conference opponents. Nashville SC claimed a 3-1 victory at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on May 28, 2022, followed by a 4-1 victory at GEODIS Park on Aug. 31, 2022. The sides last met in Nashville SC’s run to the Leagues Cup 2023 final in a 2-1 NSC victory over the Rapids in group play at GEODIS Park.
4. Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith began his MLS career in Colorado, serving as Rapids’ Head Coach from 2008-11 and leading the club to its only MLS Cup in 2010. First Assistant Steve Guppy was also a member of Smith’s staff in Colorado, where he served as Assistant Manager. NSC Assistant Coach Kosuke Kimura and Goalkeeper Coach Matt Pickens both played under Smith and Guppy in Colorado and were…
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