Nashville vs. Atlanta United: A just-a-tad-early predicted XI
Let’s take one final crack at the Nashville SC starting XI for their inaugural game against Atlanta United.
NSC finalized their roster back on Jan. 23 when they announced the additions of Nashville U-23 superstar Martim Galvao, as well as college sensations Charlie Dennis and Ramone Howell. Unfortunately, that same announcement noted that defender Oumar Ballo would not be joining the team due to “visa complications.”
Despite reports that head coach Gary Smith might be utilizing a 3- or 5-man backline, his history with the 4–4–2 has me convinced that he’ll still incorporate that formation at some point in the game.
Here is a look at the potential predicted XI for Nashville SC:
GOALKEEPERS: With no third goalkeeper on the roster, my initial prediction of Matt Pickens over C.J. Cochran remains as firm as ever. The only real question should be whether or not Gary Smith gives his MLS Cup-winning №1 the captain’s armband.
DEFENDERS: You can just imagine how disappointed I was to find that defender Oumar Ballo would not be joining the team — mere hours after I predicted that he’d be a part of the starting XI.
Nonetheless, the team has solid depth on defense, and Bradley Bourgeois seems like the ideal candidate to play alongside Justin Davis at centerback.
MIDFIELDERS: It would seem I underestimated just how fond Gary Smith is of Matshidiso Lebogang “Lebo” Moloto, after the team unveiled this past week that he would wear the №10 jersey for the upcoming year.
Although there are rumblings that Galvao isn’t quite ready yet due to the degree of difficulty of jumping from the PDL to USL, he’s too good a prospect to not receive optimal minutes early and often. As a result, I expect him to find a spot on the starting XI as well.
FORWARDS: No new additions to the forward position leaves Shroot and Mensah as the two most likely candidates to start up front, though it’s unclear if Mensah’s absence from the team will extend through Saturday.
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So, with all of that out of the way, here is my quasi-final predicted XI for Nashvills SC vs. Atlanta United:
Those are my thoughts — what do you think?
