MLS: Expansion side Nashville going domestic with Cameron Lancaster

Nashville continues to build their roster for their inaugural season in 2020. They are taking the domestic route by adding another proven USL goalscorer in Cameron Lancaster. But can the striker deal with the step up to MLS?

After signing Daniel Rios just a few weeks prior, Nashville has added another striker to their early roster by acquiring reigning USL Golden Boot winner Cameron Lancaster.

This was just the second signing in club history and their second striker to join the club.

Lancaster is a proven goalscorer in USL as he amassed 26 goals during the 2018 season in 33 appearances. The Louisville City player went on to help his side win the USL Championship scoring the only goal in the final match.

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The 26-year-old is set to join his first Major League Soccer club in his career. He has played at Lousiville City since 2015, where he will be dearly missed after becoming a lethal target during 2018. He went from scoring eight goals in 2017 to 26 goals in 2018.

By joining Nashville, Lancaster will be headed back to first division football since leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the 2013-14 season. He has had an up and down career thus far but has found his form in the United States.

Expect Lancaster to be extra motivated to perform for this reason. He will be loaned to Nashville SC for the 2019 season and will have another chance to shine in the USL. Come 2020, there’s no doubt he will be eager to show he belongs in the MLS.

With the signings of Rios and Lancaster, it appears that Nashville will be turning to two USL stars to carry them at the striker position during their inaugural campaign. Lancaster finished just ahead of Rios in the USL Golden Boot race and both do have goalscoring pedigree, even if it is at a lower level than MLS.

It will be interesting to see how the two players adapt to life in MLS during the 2020 season. Neither has had the opportunity to play in the first division yet. This will give us a glimpse, as well, into how far apart the two leagues are from in each other in terms of quality. A few players have been able to transition to MLS, such as Christian Ramirez, with relative success and these two can join them.

For now, next season will be a test to see if they can replicate their 2018 form for Nashville SC. They will certainly want to show their new club they were the right choice to help lead their new side in the goal scoring department.