Nashville SC 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
By Chris Smith
Nashville SC head into the 2023 MLS season once again looking to make a splash.
In just three seasons as an MLS club, Nashville have established themselves as regular challengers, reaching the Playoffs in every campaign so far while finishing third in the East in 2021 and fifth in the West last year.
Gary Smith's side return to the Eastern Conference this year following the addition of St. Louis CITY SC and will certainly be looking to tick off another achievement by winning at least one match in the Playoffs for the first time.
So, here's everything you need to know about Nashville SC ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
How did Nashville SC perform in 2022?
- Regular season: 5th in Western Conference
- MLS Cup Playoffs: Round One
- US Open Cup: Quarter-Finals
Nashville SC transfer activity
Transfers in
Player | Former Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Jacob Shaffelburg | Toronto FC | $300k |
Fafa Picault | Houston Dynamo | $250k |
Nick DePuy | LA Galaxy | $50k |
Ben Martino | Philadelphia Union | $50k |
Laurence Wyke | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Free transfer |
Tyler Freeman | Loudoun United | Free transfer |
Nebiyou Perry | - | Free agent |
Kemy Amiche | Fighting Camels | Free transfer |
Joey Skinner | Clemson Tigers | SuperDraft |
Transfers out
Player | Club Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Dave Romney | New England Revolution | $525k |
Handwalla Bwana | Charleston Battery | Free transfer |
Robert Castellanos | KuPS | Free transfer |
Irakoze Donasiyano | Oakland Roots | Free transfer |
Rodrigo Pineiro | Union Espanola | Undisclosed |
Ake Loba | Mazatlan FC | Loan |
Eric Miller | - | Released |
Bryan Meredith | - | Released |
Will Meyer | - | Released |
Gary Smith: Tactics and style of play
Gary Smith has switched between a number of formations over the past 12 months, most prominently using 5-3-2, but also trying out 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-1-1 shaps as well.
Regardless of the setup, he's always looked to keep his team compact and tough to break down, relying on speed and precision on the break to carve out attacking opportunities.
Last season, it has to be said that Nashville lacked consistency and fluidity, and were largely carried by the MVP and Golden Boot-winning form of Hany Mukhtar. But that owed largely to a busy away schedule at the start of the season while their new GEODIS Park stadium was being finished.
We know Nashville are better and while the setup from Smith will be the same, the results should be much better.
Nashville SC predicted XI (5-3-2): Willis; Moore, Maher, Zimmerman, DePuy, Lovitz; Godoy, Davis, McCarty; Mukhtar, Leal.
Who is Nashville SC's key player?
Hany Mukhtar
Nashville SC have a lot of big characters in their side, including Walker Zimmerman, Dax McCarty, and Anibal Godoy. But none of them even come close to matching up with Hany Mukhtar.
The former Germany international should have won the MVP award in 2021 but instead of sulking about it, he got his head down, won the 2022 Golden Boot, and made it impossible to be snubbed for MVP a second time running.
Put simply, whether lining up as a striker, a No.10, or on the wing, Mukhtar is one of the best players in the league, capable of stunning goals, precision passing, dynamic dribbling, and so much more.
If Mukhtar doesn't show, Nashville are in trouble. If he does, they're contenders.
Nashville SC 2023 season prediction
As mentioned, Nashville were not at their best last year. And yet, by a combination of Mukhtar being superhuman and just having a team that's hard to beat, they still finished fifth in the Western Conference.
They haven't really gotten much stronger over the winter, but they also haven't got any weaker. That, coupled with the fact they will have a much more balanced schedule this time around, means we can expect a far more convincing unit.
And if Mukhtar continues on his current trajectory, we may even see a deep Playoffs run.
Will Nashville SC qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes