MLS: 3 positives for Inter Miami and Nashville SC

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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 29: Walker Zimmerman #25 of Nashville SC celebrates his goal during the first half against Atlanta United at Nissan Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

1. Neither has been embarrassed

Atlanta United, Los Angeles FC, the Seattle Sounders. These teams have ruined the expectations for expansion teams. Because of their unbridled success in their early years, there is now an anticipation that future expansion teams will match their competitiveness. But in reality, expansion teams usually struggle in MLS. Just ask Cincinnati, Minnesota or Orlando.

So while neither Nashville SC or Inter Miami have won a match or even earned a point thus far, neither have they been embarrassed. They have both scored their first goals of the season, they have lost by one goal on all occasions, and in Nashville’s case, they were extremely unlucky not to beat Portland.

Nashville held the Timbers to no shots in the second half. They out-shot their hosts by 14-3. Meanwhile, Miami have played the best team in MLS history, who they only lost to by a 1-0 scoreline, and another playoff team, who they also out-shot 15-8.

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Nashville and Miami are both competitive in MLS. And based on the history of expansion teams, that is nothing to be scoffed at.

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