Nashville Soccer Club returns to GEODIS Park at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night to host Eastern Conference rival FC Cincinnati. The Boys in Gold enter Matchday 5 in fourth place in the Eastern Conference (2W-1L-1D, 7 pts.). 

Earlier today, Nashville SC Head Coach Gary Smith and defender Shaq Moore addressed the media. Smith spoke about the rich history Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati share and their rivalry which dates to the USL Championship. Smith also spoke about the club’s health going into Saturday’s match and the positive momentum he feels being at close to full strength.  

United States Men’s National Team defender Shaq Moore complimented his teammates and their dedication on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just one goal this season. Moore also spoke about the threat FC Cincinnati’s offense poses and the importance that communication will play on the backline come Saturday.  

Coach Smith has been at the helm for Nashville SC in every match against FC Cincinnati since the club’s inception in the USL Championship. Coaching staff members Kosuke Kimura and Matt Pickens were players for Nashville SC in the USL Championship matches.  

Since debuting in MLS, Nashville SC has yet to lose to Cincinnati (2W-0L-2D) and has a goal differential of plus 6. Despite having visited Music City twice, Saturday will mark Cincinnati’s first visit to GEODIS Park. Nashville SC has scored its highest goal total in a match in club history on Oct. 27, 2021 (6 goals) and recorded its highest ever shot total on April 17, 2021 (31 shots). 

Players to watch on Saturday will be forward CJ Sapong who has scored four goals and recorded an assist in his last three matches against FC Cincinnati and winger Jacob Shaffelburg who has recorded four goals in seven career matches at GEODIS Park.  

Nashville SC joined Major League Soccer on Feb. 29, 2020 in front of the largest attendance ever recorded for a soccer match in the State of Tennessee. In its inaugural MLS season, Nashville SC defeated expectations by becoming the second MLS expansion side to win and advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville SC returned to the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in its sophomore season after becoming just the seventh team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home in a season. Nashville SC inaugurated GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada, in front of a 30,109-sellout crowd on May 1, 2022. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.