Nashville SC: 3 ways they can easily secure a playoff spot
By Alex Miller
Here are 3 ways that Nashville SC can make their way to the playoffs
Debut seasons in the MLS are hard enough, but with stoppage of play in March, issues returning at the MLS is Back Tournament, a conference swap, and some inconsistent play, Nashville SC has had it harder than others. Regardless of these hurdles, the extended playoff spots in the Eastern Conference mean that Nashville have a solid path to the postseason.
Nashville have been bouncing around the lower end of the playoff line in the east. At the halfway point on the season, they have dropped points, like the 0-0 at New England as it’s going to cost them.
Nashville have moved away from utilizing wider midfielders in favor of two centrally centric ones to sit in front of Dax McCarty. With mainly away matches left, Gary Smith needs to establish some tactical consistency to create momentum before the playoffs. There are several ways they can keep up consistent performances and comfortably qualify to play this winter. Here are three of them for Nashville to make the playoffs.
3. Use their Talismans
Hany Mukhtar was the key figure at the start of the season. He met expectations as the creative force in the midfield in front of Dax McCarty in a deep-lying position. Unfortunately, Costa Rican Randall Leal, who was signed as another DP, has not quite had the expected attacking production. He was slow to acclimate to the style in MLS and has scored only one goal in nine appearances. As of late, injures have kept him out of the side.
Jhonder Cadiz was only just added from Dijon, and the 25-year-old striker has created a strong sense of promise in a side that was lacking attacking diversity. He had limited chances in France, appearing only 15 times last season, and scoring two goals, but if forward play can move through Mukhtar and Cadiz, then they should create more than enough chances.
Alex Muyl is also a key component on the wing. As of late, Smith has tried using only outside backs for wide options and benching Muyl, but he is easily Nashville’s strongest creative threat out wide. He may not score a lot of goals, but he has been instrumental in the consistent success of NYRB. He will provide the same threat as an inverted winger for Nashville if given the chance.