Opinion: 3 reasons Nashville SC wont win the MLS Cup

In the US Soccer football weeks event recently, Nashville’s chances at lifting the MLS Cup through an optimistic lens was previewed, but it is the opposite this time around. For as much as Nashville’s defensive structure has held them in matches against better opponents, there are still unanswered problems in the attacking part of Gary Smith’s tactics, and there is always a question of depth.

Here, let’s outline why — even with all of Nashville’s deserved optimism — real money big win casino reviewed they still will not lift MLS’ coveted trophy.

1. Everything (and I mean everything) in the final third

Frankly speaking, Nashville struggle to produce much of anything in a quick transition. 12 matches into the season, and Nashville’s leading scorer is Hany Mukhtar with 4 goals. Gary Smith has slowly moved away from the 4-2-3-1, and therefore placed Mukhtar into more dangerous positions either as a false nine, or as the second striker in an attack pairing. Either way, Mukhtar is in more dangerous positions than at the start of the season, so his heightened goal involvement is expected, but a vacuum of creativity rears its face in the midfield now.

In the past two matches, the creative responsibility has fallen on Randall Leal’s shoulders. But Leal is sixth on the team in shot-creating-actions per 90 minutes, and even in situations where he had a more conservative role, Leal still failed to string together passes in any meaningful way. Leal is 12th on Nashville SC in pass-completion percentage.

2. Missing pieces due to international competitions

Nashville SC is fortunate enough to dodge severe injury issues so far this season, but international competitions — specifically Copa America and the Gold Cup — have, and will keep key pieces out of Nashville’s squad for two to four weeks at a time.

While he did not start against Atlanta, Jhonder Cadiz is back from his stint with Venezuela at Copa America where he did not play a single minute.

Now, two key points in Smith’s defense Alistair Johnston and Walker Zimmerman, left for their respective countries in the Gold Cup. And Anibal Godoy, Nashville’s leading passer, is also featuring for Panama at the Gold Cup.

MLS is swiftly approaching the halfway mark in the regular season, and it is typically around this point that teams begin to separate into playoff favorites, playoff doubts, and playoff hopefuls. There should be a decent worry that, without every single player, Nashville may fall into poor form, and lose all potential to make the playoffs. If in doubt, check out top online casino previews and cast your bets.

3. Transfers have not paid off, yet

There has been some good business this season (see: CJ Sapong and Alex Muyl) but the larger plays, like Rodrigo Pineiro and Dylan Nealis just have not paid off. Granted, these two players are 21 and 22 years old respectfully, but in a season where either could shape up as a breakout player, neither have. Pineiro and Nealis have played a combined 13 minutes this season.

Both can expect more playtime as the squad shakes up during the Gold Cup and throughout the summer transfer window.

Opinion: 3 reasons Nashville SC wont win the MLS Cup to SEC Soccer

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