Nashville SC: Building a Soccer Tradition in Music City

Nashville SC: Building a Soccer Tradition in Music City

Nashville SC is one of Major League Soccer’s newest franchises, but in a short span it has made a deep impression on the league and its supporters. Founded officially in 2016 as a United Soccer League (USL) team, Nashville’s journey to MLS status is a story of persistence, cultural ambition, and a desire to embed professional soccer into the fabric of one of America’s fastest-growing cities. When the club was granted MLS expansion rights in December 2017, it symbolized the city’s rising profile on the national stage, not only in music, sports, and business but also as a hub for global culture.

The team made its MLS debut in February 2020 — an unfortunate moment, as the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the season just weeks later. Despite those challenges, Nashville quickly established itself as a tough, competitive side. Known for defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and a never-say-die mentality, the club distinguished itself from other expansion teams that often struggle in their early years. By their second season, Nashville had earned back-to-back playoff appearances, signaling that they were not content to be an MLS afterthought but a force to be reckoned with.

Culturally, Nashville SC has leaned heavily on the identity of “Music City.” The club’s branding, chants, and supporter culture are infused with references to the city’s legendary music scene, particularly country music but also Nashville’s broader reputation as a creative capital. Its crest is inspired by sound waves and the “N” shape, while the team nickname “The Boys in Gold” reflects both the club’s primary kit color and the city’s reputation as a place of creativity and opportunity.

Trivia: Nashville SC’s first-ever MLS goal was scored by David Accam in a match against Atlanta United in February 2020. Another fun fact: in their inaugural MLS match, over 59,000 fans filled Nissan Stadium, making it one of the largest crowds in league history at the time.

Rivalries

As one of MLS’s newest teams, Nashville SC is still carving out its biggest rivalries, but a few have already become heated. The most prominent is with Atlanta United. Both are Southern clubs with large, passionate fanbases, and the proximity between the two cities fuels a natural competition. Their matches are often physical, with traveling fans making their presence known. Many supporters already consider this the “Southern Derby.”

Nashville also has budding rivalries with Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF, which are emerging as competitive Southeastern clashes. Matches against Orlando have featured close scorelines and fiery moments, while contests against Inter Miami gained additional attention due to Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS in 2023. When Nashville faced Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup Final, it was a defining moment: the game ended 1–1, with Messi scoring a spectacular goal and Inter Miami ultimately winning in penalties. Though a loss, the final put Nashville SC firmly on the global soccer map, as millions of viewers tuned in.

Regionally, Nashville supporters also view FC Cincinnati as a rival, given the Ohio club’s proximity and competitive rise. Matches against Eastern Conference powers like Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union have also built tension, particularly during playoff pushes.

Trivia: The first official rivalry trophy involving Nashville was the “Southern Harmonic,” a fan-created name for the competition between Nashville and Atlanta United, playing off Nashville’s music heritage and Atlanta’s hip-hop culture.

Nashville SC: Ownership

Nashville SC is owned by a group led by John Ingram, a billionaire businessman with deep ties to the city. Ingram played a pivotal role in bringing MLS to Nashville, investing not only financial resources but also political capital to secure stadium funding and league approval. His vision has always been to make Nashville SC more than just a team — he wanted it to be a cultural institution that blends with the city’s music, arts, and community spirit.

The ownership group also includes minority investors from the music industry, further strengthening the link between soccer and Nashville’s cultural identity. This strategy has helped the club resonate with locals and differentiate itself in a crowded sports market that already includes the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Ingram Sports and Entertainment, the parent company, has invested heavily in the team’s infrastructure. From training facilities to youth development, the long-term goal is to position Nashville as a pipeline for both domestic and international talent. The club has also leaned into its Southern roots, forging strong community connections and ensuring that soccer is accessible and engaging for families and young fans in the region.

Trivia: Nashville’s pursuit of an MLS team nearly collapsed in 2018 due to political wrangling over stadium funding. It was John Ingram’s persistence and willingness to personally finance parts of the project that ultimately saved the bid.

Watch Nashville SC

The crown jewel of Nashville SC is its home ground, GEODIS Park, which opened in May 2022. With a capacity of 30,000, it is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, an incredible achievement for a team so young. Located in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, the stadium is easily accessible and designed with a fan-first approach.

GEODIS Park’s atmosphere has quickly earned rave reviews. The stands are steep and intimate, ensuring every seat is close to the action. The supporter section, “The Backline,” is one of the most passionate groups in MLS, known for colorful tifo displays, drum-led chants, and the unique incorporation of music into matchday rituals. Before games, live local musicians often perform, reinforcing the “Music City” identity.

Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte may be bigger, and Lumen Field in Seattle may be louder, but GEODIS Park strikes a balance between scale and intimacy, making it one of the premier stadium experiences in the league.

Trivia: At GEODIS Park’s opening match, Nashville SC drew 30,109 fans, setting the MLS record for attendance at a soccer-specific stadium. Another fun detail: each goal scored by Nashville is celebrated with a guitar riff played live, a nod to the city’s music tradition.

Nashville SC: This Season

The 2025 season has been pivotal for Nashville SC as the team seeks to establish itself as more than a defensively strong playoff participant. Under the guidance of head coach Gary Smith, Nashville has built a reputation for being one of the toughest teams to break down. Smith’s tactical system prioritizes defensive organization, quick counterattacks, and physicality. At the heart of this approach has been U.S. Men’s National Team defender Walker Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year, who continues to anchor the backline.

In attack, Nashville’s most influential player has been Hany Mukhtar, the German playmaker who won the 2022 MLS MVP. Mukhtar’s creativity, goals, and ability to dictate the flow of play have made him one of the league’s most dangerous players. In 2023 and 2024, he consistently ranked among the top in goals and assists, and his chemistry with teammates has only improved. The signing of striker Sam Surridge has added another attacking option, helping balance the team’s offensive output.

This season, Nashville has been aiming for a deeper playoff run after previously falling short in the later rounds. The club’s defensive solidity remains a strength, but the big question is whether they can evolve into a team capable of consistently challenging for silverware. Injuries and squad rotation will be key storylines, as depth has sometimes been an issue.

Trivia: In the 2023 Leagues Cup Final against Inter Miami, Nashville became the first MLS expansion team since 1998 to reach a major international tournament final so early in its existence.

Nashville SC: What to Follow

For fans and analysts alike, there are several compelling storylines to watch with Nashville SC. The first is whether the team can finally capture a major trophy. They’ve already proven they can compete with the league’s best, but consistency in high-pressure games remains the next step.

Another storyline is the continued rise of Hany Mukhtar. Will he remain with the club long-term, or will European interest eventually lure him away? His decision will heavily influence Nashville’s future ambitions. Similarly, the development of young players from the academy will be important, as MLS clubs increasingly rely on homegrown talent to sustain success.

From a cultural perspective, Nashville SC is also fascinating to watch because of its ability to blend soccer with music. Each season, the club deepens its ties to local artists and integrates more musical traditions into matchday. This makes it not just a sports team but a cultural institution.

Lastly, Nashville’s rivalry with Atlanta United and other Southeastern teams will only intensify. These matchups are crucial not only for playoff implications but also for establishing bragging rights in a rapidly growing soccer region.

Trivia: Before every match, Nashville SC has a “Guitar Riff Ceremony,” where a local musician strums an oversized guitar to fire up the crowd. Past participants have included country music stars like Dierks Bentley and Kane Brown, making it one of MLS’s most unique pre-game traditions.

In just a few years, Nashville SC has gone from a USL side to one of the most intriguing clubs in MLS. With a state-of-the-art stadium, a passionate fanbase, star players, and a cultural identity rooted in the unique spirit of Music City, the Boys in Gold are carving out a legacy that blends sport, culture, and community. The coming years will determine whether Nashville SC becomes not just a playoff contender, but a consistent trophy challenger and a flagship club for the league.