Getting The Band Back Together

Nashville entered the league in 2020 with a trip to Colorado on the schedule.  I have heard that the plan for that day was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2010 MLS Cup winning Rapids, since Gary Smith was (and still is) the head coach of Nashville FC.  COVID derailed that plan and 12th anniversaries aren't as memorable, but we'll still see some old friends back at the Dick tomorrow night as Gary has kept a number of the 2010 crew with him over the years.  His first assistant coach is still Steve Guppy, Kosuke Kimura is also an assistant coach, and Matt Pickens is the goalkeeper coach.  (For many years Jaime Smith was running their youth academy, but he moved on this past offseason.)  Kickoff for the 2010 reunion tour is at 7pm tomorrow, TV is available if you can find it.

Injury Report:

OUT: M Ollie Larraz

QUESTIONABLE: F Gyasi Zardes

Disciplinary Report:

SUSPENDED: D Lucas Esteves (One game suspension handed down by DisCo)

SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT YELLOW: D Auston Trusty, F Diego Rubio

Today the Disciplinary Committee announced further discipline from the fracas in Kansas City.  Salloi and Esteves both got another game suspension, and Fontas got fined, for their red card actions at the end of the match.  Coach Fraser, Acosta, Irwin, Price, and Vallecilla all got fined for entering the field of play.  I have heard there may have been some appeals before this announcement, but regardless the idea that what Esteves and Salloi did were equivalent is hard to swallow.  Regardless, time to move on.

(If you're wondering about the kit color above, the league is wearing their 'Save the Oceans' jerseys this weekend made out of plastic recycled from the ocean, so that's the 'home' team color scheme for everyone)

I think we see a lineup very similar to last week, with the primary change being Trusty's return pushing Rosenberry back outside.  Markanich showed well enough to fill in for Esteves again, and the rest doesn't really need changing that much.  I kind of expect Lewis to get the nod over Barrios but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Rubio and Kaye.  These teams are pretty evenly matched, but I think or home edge gets us 3 points.  It won't be easy though. and we'll concede our first goal from the run of play at home this season, but we squeak through with the win entering a much needed break.