For the first time in almost three years MNUFC are headed to Music City to take on the Coyotes. The Loons last visit to Middle Tennessee went, well extremely poorly, as they were rocked 5–0 by the hosts in the 2023 Leagues Cup. This year is a different story though for Minnesota. A new manager, a plethora of new players, a new style, and a point to prove.
But Nashville has also had some massive changes over the last 30 months, so we got in touch with our friends SixOneFive Soccer and spoke to their Ben Wright to get you the scoop on the 'Yotes. You should also check out their Zoomed N series, where Ashle has answered Ben's questions on the Loons.
Ashle Paige: Nashville comes into this match 3-1-0 (W-D-L) in competitive play this year and have allowed just a single goal in four matches. What makes Nashville's defence to solid that it can grind teams to a half?
Ben Wright: Nashville have always been a defensively solid team since the Gary Smith days. Even with personnel changes, they've kept that same ethos through their various iterations. With Walker Zimmerman gone and Joe Willis in a backup role, they've undergone a lot of change on their backline this season, but they have what seems to be an elite center back pairing in Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi, who are both super athletic and comfortable on the ball. This allows Nashville to play a very aggressive high line out of possession and also take more risks with the ball. Add in two top-end fullbacks in Andy Nájar and Dan Lovitz, and this looks like a high level unit.
AP: In mid-2024 Nashville brought in only their second coach in their entire pro (USL & MLS) history in B.J. Callaghan. How has his appointment helped the club and what has he done to turn the Coyotes into a force in the East?
BW: Simply put, Callaghan is a much more modern coach. His background with the Philadelphia Union academy has turned Nashville – miraculously – into a team that will play kids, tapping into a player pool that was previously unused. They also are much more structured in attack, with clear principles and rotations leading to a lot more high-level, repeatable chance creation. They have a clear identity under Callaghan, and he gets the best out of every player.
AP: Who would you say has been the key acquisition this offseason for Nashville and how do you think he'll do over the course of the season?
BW: Cristian Espinoza is the big one, and Maxwell Woledzi is also key. So far this season, though, Warren Madrigal has been the standout. He was sharp in their Concacaf Champions Cup opener against Atlético Ottawa, and bagged a goal and two assists in their MLS opener against New England. Primarily a No. 9, he's played on the left of their attack this season, and looks like an incredibly dangerous and underrated signing.
AP: Since the Leagues Cup schedule just dropped, what do you think of the clubs visiting Nashville for the Leagues Cup and how does the team view the tournament.
BW: Club Leon and San Luis are fine matchups and I'm sure I'll be more excited once it gets closer. The final Phase One game against Monterrey, though, looks like a great matchup. It's a rematch of the 2023 Leagues Cup semifinal, in which Nashville played Monterrey off the pitch. They won 2-0, although it should have been 3-0 – a Hany Mukhtar golazo was disallowed for a phantom offside call. In my opinion, it's the best game Nashville have ever played. If Monterrey play up the revenge angle, this thing could have some juice.
AP: Predictions for NSHvMIN?
BW: I'm going with a 2-0 win for Nashville, but I think it will be a really tight game. They can struggle against a low block, and Minnesota are an elite defensive side. If the Loons can keep them off the scoresheet until late in the second half, it could turn into a really frustrating night for the 'Yotes.
