Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United: A little-too-early predicted starting XI
In the three weeks since my first predicted starting XI, Nashville SC has added seven more players to its ranks. With the team’s debut in a friendly against Atlanta United right around the corner, the question on everyone’s mind is “Which of these players will be a part of Nashville’s first-ever starting XI?”
GOALKEEPERS: Though there is room on the roster for a third goalkeeper, Nashville have not made any new acquisitions, leaving Matt Pickens to compete against CJ Cochran for the starting job, a competition that Pickens will most likely win for a variety of reasons.
DEFENDERS: The addition of former Minnesota United star Justin Davis has been arguably the biggest signing the team has made over the last few weeks. At age 29 and with MLS and NASL experience, Davis is poised to be a centerpiece of the backfield.
Former New England Revolution defender London Woodberry, who has significant MLS experience, was added too and, at the age of 26, is in the prime of his career. Davis and Woodberry with their experience should find themselves as founding members
Lastly, the team added Michael DeGraffenreidt, who was drafted by NYC FC in 2017 but spent the whole year rehabbing from injuries, and former Chattanooga FC defender Jordan Dunstan — both of whom will make their USL debuts, but likely not on the starting XI for this game.
MIDFIELDERS: The team added three midfielders: Bolu Akinyode, Michael Reed and Josh Hughes. Akinyode looks like a solid depth player, but Hughes and Reed could be day-one starters since they were both head coach Gary Smith’s former Atlanta Silverback players.
FORWARDS: The big addition at forward was Ropapa Mensah from Ghana, who played for the Harrisburg City Islanders last season. The 20-year-old had seven goals and two assists in just 19 appearances, so he could be poised for a breakout season. That breakout might not come against Atlanta.
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With all of the new signings, the Nashville SC starting XI might look like this now:
Those are my thoughts. What do you think?
