Welcome to Pitch Points, with the latest links of interest in the world of Nashville SC and beyond. As always, if you come across (or write) something that you think would fit in one of these posts, don’t hesitate to send via social media or e-mail. And of course, hit each of those channels with a follow if you haven’t yet. Much appreciated!
Draft briefs
I’ll have much more on Nashville SC’s five drafted players in the coming days, but for now, a quick look at some of the items that have come across my radar. For an overview of sorts, friend-of-the-blog Ben Dudley on all five.
The headliner here is an incredible (and heartbreaking) story on first-round pick Irakoze Donasiyano. Props to friend of the blog (heavy edition with those) Clay Trainum for the find:
You can find a bit more on the murder itself here and here. Info on how you can help the family and more on the situation is in Clay’s tweet thread, so click through on that one.
In less-heavy stuff on NSC’s draftee’s… Tor Saunders writeup on Coastal Carolina’s official site, (also syndicated in local media). SB Nation‘s Syracuse blog quickly touches on Sondre Norheim. Leroy Enzugusi gets a shoutout from the Great Lakes State, having played for the PDL’s Flint City Bucks. The James Madison student paper on Tom Judge.
…and for a #TBT, last year’s top draft pick, Jack Maher, gets a profile in his native St. Louis.
Get in the game
This site is not just about the professional team in our area. Indeed, there’s plenty to discuss when it comes to playing or otherwise getting directly involved, as well.
The Tennessee State Soccer Association has coaching and referee education courses coming up.
For those who want a way to get involved in the sport beyond being fans of Nashville SC, the national teams, and local colleges, this is a very good one. USSF and its constituent organizations don’t tend to make this sort of stuff easy to find and participate in. When they do, let’s make them see why it’s a good idea.
Local youth clubs are also into their spring programming. Your mileage may vary as in terms of waiting out the current pandemic situation, but the options are out there.
The Pod center
I’ve been a guest on several recent episodes of Pharmaceutical Soccer. Check ’em out. Offseason is one of my favorite times of year because we get to talk esoteric roster stuff and plenty of fun things.
Additionally, I would like to encourage you to check out Down the Tunnel from Clarksville SC Executive Director Kean Barclay. He gets a ton of folks around the state (and well beyond, including overseas) to talk about their soccer journeys, the issues in the game at various levels today, and much more.
Drake Hills on a media blitz. Nashville SC’s Tennessean beat writer on Grant Wahl’s podcast, as well as 440 Sports’s Lamestream media pod.
Comings and goings
Some updates on former Boys in Gold:
Some local stuff (that’s in Sweden, y’all) on David Accam‘s fit with his new club. I already linked this in his player report card, but a feature on the tough year off-field he had. Compound that with injuries, and “off-field” comprises the vast majority of his year, too. Another reminder to keep a little compassion in mind when you get the urge to treat these guys like Football Robots rather than human beings with the rhetoric.
Brayan Beckeles is likely to sign with CD Olimpia – the club from which Nashville SC signed him – in his native Honduras.
Old news now, but Austin FC signed keeper Brad Stuver, likely relegating Brady Scott (the player Nashville SC lost in the Expansion Draft) to third-string status for El Verde.
Former Nashville SC keeper Connor Sparrow – who spent last season with Chicago Fire – is back in USL with The Miami FC.
Etc.
An Olympics qualifying depth chart from American Soccer Now. … Oscar Robertson, under-appreciated. … Journalism nerd shit. … Way-too early Nashville SC season preview from MLS Multiplex. … No Walker Zimmerman in last night’s USMNT game, so I’ll take my time on the discussion aspect of that.
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