Nashville SC: 3 things we learned from triumphant MLS debut

2. Offensive firepower needed

If Nashville SC are to be successful in MLS, they will need to be more effective in the final third. While Nashville did prove to be a tougher opponent than many expected, they will need help on the attacking end if they are to ever make a jump into the playoff conversation.

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While Randall Leal looked deadly when cutting in from the left and Hany Mukhtar delivered a number of key passes throughout his debut, the club struggled to create clear-cut chances over the course of the match. Outside of Leal and Mukhtar, Nashville’s attackers (including substitutes) only contributed two shots and one key pass.

Moreover, their only goal came from a set-piece. Walker Zimmerman did well to first win the aerial challenge and then react first to prod home the finish, but relying on set-piece goals is not a sustainable way of producing effective attacking returns throughout an entire season.

Luckily for Nashville fans, the club still has two open DP spots. It was reported back in January that the club had made a significant offer for Ake Loba, a rising star forward in Liga MX, but the offer was later rejected. The news of this offer should be reassuring for Nashville fans, though, as it proves that attacking reinforcements could still be on the way later this year.