Saturday’s game against Louisville City didn’t go according to plan for Nashville SC. While there are specific things that the team can take from their trials and tribulations in Derby City, head coach Gary Smith is more focused on the big picture.
“In four months time, I think you will see a different group, and that will be due to results – hopefully on a positive standpoint that will bring us confidence,” Smith said. “From mistakes that we’ve made and that we will all learn from. The players have not experienced much as a group. They have to build that connection and get through adversity and experience defeat so they know what that’s like, and then we’ll start to find out what their reaction is going to be this weekend – and only through the good and bad experiences can a group grow. There is a lot to be learned out of winning and losing. Sometimes losing can be a better lesson.”
If losing builds character, NSC had quite the growing experience in its 2-0 loss to the defending USL Champs. There were few offensive threats, and too many defensive breakdowns (albeit only a couple that went punished) for a team that fancies itself a contender for the league.
Of course, there’s little shame in a road loss – on an unconventional pitch – to what should be the best team in the league. Indeed, even LCFC lost by multiple goals on the road to Tampa Bay, Charlotte, and Orlando City B (with current NSC player Michael Cox scoring twice for OCB) during last year’s championship run. For a new club to the league, there’s even less to worry about.
The worry would be in not taking the result and the performance, and learning from it.
“I can hope there is going to be a reaction from a group of players that do have a tremendous amount of talent, individualism and creativity and a lot of pride,” Smith said. “They’re disappointed and frustrated from this past weekend- and they’re going to want to make that right.”
With a few days to lick their wounds and prepare for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, you can bet you’ll see a much improved NNSC side on the field Saturday.
Club and Country 