The 2023 Nashville SC season was the fourth season for Nashville SC as a member of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional soccer in the United States. After finishing the 2022 season with a playoff berth and a first round exit, the club loaned out Designated Player and forward Aké Arnaud Loba to Mazatlán F.C. and made trades to add depth. Midfielder Hany Mukhtar had finished the previous season as the league's top goalscorer, earning the MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals, and was also won the most valuable player award.
The club moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the 2023 season and played 34 regular season matches between February 25 and October 21. The team opened their preseason training camp on January 9 in Tampa, Florida, and played several friendly matches in Florida. Nashville SC also participated in the Leagues Cup, a knockout competition for all MLS and Liga MX clubs in July and August. They finished as runners-up, hosting the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami CF and losing in a penalty shootout. The club entered the U.S. Open Cup in the third round and advanced to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Miami.
Nashville qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs—their fourth consecutive postseason—by finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference. They were eliminated in the first round by Orlando City SC, losing the first two games in the best-of-three series by a 1–0 scoreline.
Non-competitive matches
Preseason
During the preseason, Nashville SC had a 3–2–1 record.
Competitive Major League Soccer
Standings
Match results
MLS Cup Playoffs
U.S. Open Cup
Leagues Cup
Central 4
Knockout stage
Players and staff
Roster
Squad no. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Previous club Notes 1 GK Houston Dynamo FC 2 DF CF Montréal 3 DF Toronto FC 4 DF LA Galaxy 5 DF Indiana Hoosiers GA 6 MF Chicago Fire 7 FW Houston Dynamo 8 FW Saprissa 10 MF Brøndby DP 11 FW LA Galaxy HG 12 FW New England Revolution 13 DF Clemson Tigers GA 14 FW Toronto FC 16 DF Tampa Bay Rowdies 17 FW Chicago Fire Traded to Toronto FC on April 25, 2023. 18 DF Tenerife 19 MF New York Red Bulls HG 20 MF San Jose Earthquakes 21 DF UCLA Bruins 22 DF Atlanta United FC 23 DF Nashville SC (USL) 24 MF San Jose Earthquakes 25 DF Los Angeles FC DP 26 MF Creighton Bluejays 27 MF Charleston Battery 28 FW Loudoun United FC 29 FW Östersunds FK 30 GK Charlotte 49ers 54 MF New York Red Bulls 67 GK Virginia Tech Hokies HG 91 MF Campbell Fighting Camels
Coaching staff
Technical Staff Head coach Gary Smith Assistant coach Steve Guppy Assistant coach Kosuke Kimura Goalkeeping coach Matt Pickens
References
External links Nashville SC website