Nashville SC signs four new players to USL squad
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Nashville SC announced the signing of four new players to its USL squad on Thursday, bringing the total players on board for their inaugural season in the second flight to 17. It’s a mix of low-ceiling, high-floor veterans and young, unproven talents.
29-year-old defender Justin Davis began his professional career with Minnesota United in 2011 when the Loons were in the NASL. He made the jump with the club to MLS in 2017, starting out as United’s first-choice left fullback. Davis lost his spot, however, and saw his minutes disappear in the second half of the season.
Though the jump to the first division proved to be too much for Davis, there’s little doubt he can excel at the USL level, as he was named to the NASL Best XI in 2014, 2015, and 2016. A step down and a change of scenery could prove to be just what he needed.
Nashville are bringing another player with MLS ties in Michael DeGraffenreidt, who was taken by NYCFC in the third round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft before a preseason knee injury derailed his first professional campaign. Based on head coach Gary Smith’s comments, it seems like DeGraffenreidt’s idea spot on the team would be as a pacey right fullback, with the possibility of filling in at centerback if need be.
23-year-old Nigerian defensive midfielder Bolu Akinyode isn’t the type of player to generate many stats, but he was an imposing physical presence in the middle of the pitch and an accurate passer of the ball from his holding position in 2017 for North Carolina FC. 26-year-old central midfielder Josh Huges will also be competing for a starting spot in the midfield; he played in an arena league last year but has previously worked with Gary Smith at Atlanta Silverbacks.
The USL roster limit is 30, so Nashville could theoretically sign up to 13 additional players between now and the start of the season.
Many Nashville SC fans have been asking after attacking midfielder Martim Galvao, who was the heart and soul of the U23 side that competed in the PDL in 2017. Music City Soccer reached out to Galvao earlier this week to see if the Portugal native and Pfeiffer University grad had any plans to sign with a team. Though Galvao didn’t specifically address the question, reading between the lines of his response suggests that the answer is no.
Nashville SC announced on Wednesday that the three seating areas designated as supporters sections have sold out for the 2017 USL season. The club also announced its decision to formally recognize The Assembly as an official supporters group, making them NSC’s second supporters group, along with The Roadies. To mark the occasion, Nashville Golden Goal did an interview with the Jason Petty, president of The Assembly.
MLS revealed its 2018 schedule on Thursday, and the teams with the most games on national television are LAFC and Atlanta United in a two-way tie at 16. These two clubs continue to be paragons of how to run an expansion franchise, and this further demonstrates that, managed properly, being upstart team doesn’t mean you have to spend a decade toiling in obscurity.
