Although they came into MLS with very little fanfare, Nashville SC has quietly put together one of the more impressive expansion builds in league history. In two seasons, they’ve made the playoffs both years and won a playoff game both years.
Nashville comes into their third year with new challenges, though. Thanks to Charlotte FC entering the league, Nashville was forced to move into the Western Conference. Prognosticators still think they’ll be among the conference’s top teams, but this will be a significant test.
Due to the impacts of Covid-19 on scheduling, Nashville hasn’t played on the West Coast since visiting the Portland Timbers in the second game of the 2020 season and they’ve never before faced the Sounders.