Some more writing from yours truly on MLSSoccer.com. Read up on the league’s website.
First, on how Nashville SC’s stadium deal got over the finish line.
Then, the off-field build toward the regular season, including that Nashville SC has sold more than 40,000 tickets to the season-opening game against Atlanta United.
The two-plus years since announcement of the club’s entry into the league in December of 2017 has felt like much longer to some fans, and a distant memory to owner John Ingram. Not that he’s had much time to reminisce, now that the date he’s been waiting for is within reach.
“In just over two weeks, the dream becomes a reality,” he said. “It’s exciting. There’s been a huge amount of focus, and I think Ian and his team have created some really fun, interesting ways to engage with the broader city.”
My fav of the bunch is the human side of Walker Zimmerman’s trade to Nashville SC. After being caught by surprise by LAFC management, he’s already taken steps to put down some roots in Nashville and with NSC:
The center back was settled in with his wife, Sally, to catch up on the latest reality TV. A viewing of The Bachelor was interrupted by a text from LAFC general manager John Thorrington.
“He said, ‘Hey are you free to talk?’” Zimmerman recounted. “I ended up calling him right as The Bachelor was starting. He started off saying, ‘Hey, this is going to be really tough to hear.’ So I immediately snapped my fingers at my wife and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m getting traded.’ He said, ‘Nashville came in with an offer, and we’re going to be trading you there.’”
Sally, naturally, was on the shocked side.
“Check ’em out.”
Walker Zimmerman photo courtesy Nashville SC.
