New York City FC are on the road Friday night as they take on Nashville SC.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Drake Hills, Nashville reporter for the Tennessean.
Hi Drake, thanks for speaking with us. How long have you been covering soccer in Nashville?
I’ve been covering Nashville SC since October 2019, and covered its final two months as a USL club. Of course, I was brought on to document Nashville’s transition into Major League Soccer, which was quite an exciting time before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Not a country music fan, but the club held parities at multiple country music venues on downtown Broadway for its inaugural MLS kit reveal, Expansion Draft and soccer stadium announcement.
What’s been your favorite moment covering the team?
If I could, my two favorite moments covering Nashville SC were its MLS debut in February 2020, experiencing the scenes at Nissan Stadium, where more than 59,000 fans packed in to watch Nashville play Atlanta United in the brisk cold. Having Southern ties, myself, and briefly growing up in Augusta, Georgia, witnessing soccer garner such interest in the South was mind-blowing. My second moment was my profile written about center back Walker Zimmerman, which was published Memorial Day weekend this year. As the reigning MLS Defender of the Year and possibly a center back for the U.S. Men’s National Team future, telling his story on what brought him to this chapter of his life and career was enjoyable, to say the least.
Looking at the 2021 season, Nashville have enjoyed a really strong campaign so far, what do you put that down to?
When I watch Nashville SC play in 2021, I’d be remiss not to give credit to coach Gary Smith for altering his formation to fit his two most creative players: Hany Mukhtar and Randall Leal. Along with CJ Sapong, these three forwards have taken advantage of the attacking freedom Smith has given them – to interchange positions and add their own flare to Smith’s tactics. In Nashville SC’s 21 matches played, Mukhtar, Leal and Sapong have combined to score 21 goals.
From a tactical standpoint, what strengths should Ronny Deila and his team be wary of heading into the game?
I’m expecting Ronny Deila to show his players in film sessions the manner in which Nashville SC will look to attack with combination play between Sapong and Mukhtar. Both Leal (Costa Rica) and Alistair Johnston (Canada) are with their national teams for FIFA World Cup Qualifying, slightly changing the way Nashville go about their business in wide areas.
Are there any areas where you think Nashville can improve?
Nashville will have to ask more of its depth pieces in central midfield and right back. When international duty takes a chunk away from your starting lineup, the next man has to step up. Against NYCFC, Nashville’s midfield will be without Anibal Godoy, who is playing for Panama in its World Cup Qualifiers. He is the missing glue guy. Brian Anunga will have to showcase his ability to facilitate and dominate possession in Godoy’s absence. Without Johnston, Eric Miller could face his former club for the first time.
If you were to identify Nashville’s danger-man, who would that be?
Mukhtar Is the danger man for Nashville SC. Statistically, he’s been Nashville’s best player this season, leading in assists (8) and placing second in goals (8). Tactically, he’s showcased the ability to play as a box-to-box No. 8 in midfield, or in his preferred No. 10 position as an attacking midfielder. He’s Nashville’s catalyst going forward.
And finally, for any fans thinking of making the trip to Nashville in the future, are there any particular attractions you’d suggest checking out?
Nashville hot chicken’s reputation is slowly creeping up to a national level, so it’s only right I name-drop Prince’s or Bolton’s Hot Chicken. The National Museum of African-American Music, Assembly Food Hall and much more are quality stops at Fifth and Broadway before matchday. Nashville SC Stadium is just 10 miles south of there, which can be seen from Interstate 65 and is eight months away from completion. Adjacent to the stadium is Fair Park. If fans are in the mood play a game or two, either Fair or Centennial Park are great.
