A staple of Nashville’s success the past two seasons in MLS has been its aversion to the volatility that typically dominates the league.
Gary Smith has proven himself effective at providing consistent defensive systems, even as new players come and go, and there is a varied reliance on individual creativity in the final third.
This season will prove incredibly difficult for the men in yellow as the squad’s defensive corps shifts around because of arrivals, departures and draft picks.
Here, let’s take a look at Nashville’s business in the offseason, and run through the preseason performances which led to a brilliant opening day win over the Seattle Sounders.
Nashville SC recruited well in the off-season
Arrivals
Teal Bunbury: As mentioned, there will be some new competition for the spots along the back three. But on the other end of the spectrum, Nashville relied too heavily on Hany Mukhtar towards the end of the season to drive any sort of final third product.
Bunbury is an MLS vet — having arrived from the New England Revolution this offseason — and his versatility on either wing, and his ability to work through the center as needed, look to add optimal support to Mukhtar and the other elements of a front-three.
Sean Davis: Dax McCarty is not getting any younger. And while at 29, Davis is not the most youthful option to fill McCarty’s spot, he — like Bunbury — has proven he can compete at a high level in MLS. There is also the added benefit that Davis can play as a No. 8 in a scenario where Smith wants to keep McCarty on the field as a regista.
GRADE: B+
Departures
Alistair Johnston and Dylan Nealis: Nashville seemed all too keen on getting rid of two top-level fullbacks. Especially considering they are both only 23 years old. Whoever replaces these two will most likely be in the twilight of their career, or will be playing off the back of a season at a lower level.
Rodrigo Pineiro and Jhonder Cadiz: When reflecting on the deficiencies in the Nashville squad last season, the obvious answer was always: the team can’t score. Pineiro has been sent on loan for the season, but even then, he only made two appearances in the league last year. And Cadiz certainly did not provide the most consistent performances up front, but he did offer a clinical presence when he positioned himself well in the opposing 18-yard box. This move looks to only place more weight on Mukhtar’s shoulders — something he might not be able to handle throughout an entire year.
GRADE: D
Preseason performances
Nashville played two preseason matches against MLS opposition, having won 3-1 against Charlotte and lost 3-2 against Cincinnati. Both of the matches included — as you would expect — lots of rotation. But one key note; much of the match report cited the continued dominance, and reliance, on Mukhtar’s creativity. Given the fact there is still much to be desired from Nashville’s transfer window on the attacking side of things, there is a strong chance injury, or even a poor run of form, could decimate Nashville’s morale. Only time will tell if the defensive consistency is upheld with the new players, and if alternative attacking structures prove more effective than a traditional No. 9.