Nashville Soccer Club opened the 2023 Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in front of 28,051 fans at GEODIS Park.
Nashville Soccer Club’s 2022 campaign ended under a dark cloud of bad calls and handballs, leading to an early first-round elimination in the playoffs. But hope springs eternal even if our Boys in Gold took a turn for even blacker horizons at the season opener on February 25. It is not as ominous as it sounds. The team started the new year by dedicating the day to music icon Johnny Cash.
Big opening day crowd!
The historic match against New York City FC marked the first time that Nashville SC wore their Man in Black kits. The uniforms created in collaboration with the estate of Johnny Cash, Sandbox Succession, and Wasserman Music were designed to pay tribute to one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, Johnny Cash. Fans were encouraged to wear black on Saturday, and many were sporting the new Man in Black gear.
On Saturday, John Carter Cash (the son of June & Johnny Cash) was on hand to play the Guitar Riff of the game, which is one of many traditions that NSC has made their own. Later, Cash and his wife, Ana Cristina Cash, also a singer-songwriter, performed during the halftime show. They delighted the crowd with Cash classics, including “Jackson” and “I Walk The Line.”
The rather cool weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits on Saturday. The supporter section was enthusiastic and loud throughout much of the match. There was a lot of back and forth during the first half, with some shots on goal yet no score. But faith would be rewarded close to the 34th minute when Walker Zimmerman found the back of the net for the first NSC goal of the game. As a homage to Johnny Cash, the defender ran to the corner flag, using it as a mic, and sang the song “Ring of Fire.”
The second half was perhaps sluggish as NSC held on to their lead. However, the energy was elevated when in the 75th minute, Hany Mukhtar (Mr. Golden Boot and 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP) entered the match. #10’s presence immediately impacted the pitch as he sliced through the New York defense, setting up Jacob Shaffelburg to score the second goal of the contest five minutes after Mukhtar’s arrival. Thus, giving NSC added assurance in a match that ran seven minutes over.
During a post-game press conference, Head Coach Gary Smith commented that they are capable, happy about the terrific start, and had many good moments. Smith and the Nashville SC community hope the team can build on that winning momentum.
John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash performed at halftime.
In a post-game press conference, Coach Smith was asked by team MCN if he was now a Johnny Cash fan. He acknowledged that the Man in Black is indeed a legend and that the music played in the locker room sounded good to his ears. Now that Gary has all the pieces in place for the long season, we suggest he make the Cash song “One Piece At a Time” the team’s anthem as they make another run at the MLS Cup. So, let’s go, boys – Keep the Ring of Fire burning. Take it one day, one piece at a time, and give us more showings like your incredible opening victory.
This is the second year that NSC is in their soccer-specific stadium. GEODIS Park has plenty of local food vendors and art for sale that can be viewed at the suite level. In addition to the usual pomp and circumstance that is part of a soccer match, NSC has one of the coolest mascots – Tempo (a musical term), The Coyote. A coyote was chosen because one was spotted roaming around the Nashville Fairgrounds (near where the Nashville SC stadium was built), and it became a popular minor celebrity. These extras add to the excitement of game day along with themed events such as “The Man in Black”. NSC hosted many themed games last year, with more to come in 2023, plus GEODIS Park will be presenting a few concerts during the season.
“From the first day we started Nashville Soccer Club, we talked a lot about being ‘uniquely Nashville,'” said Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. “This city is steeped in music history and Icons of that industry. None more so than the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash. From our opening match on Feb. 29th, 2020, when our supporters, The Backline, unveiled a Tifo with that famous Johnny Cash image, there has been a strong connection between The Cash Family and the NSC family. I don’t think there can be a greater tribute to Johnny’s place in music history or Nashville than to have a team full of Men in Black take the field on behalf of Nashville SC.”
“Nashville meant so much to my father, as a historical music community and a welcoming home,” says John Carter Cash. “Connecting the Cash legacy to Nashville Soccer Club and Major League Soccer, and the joy it’s bringing to Nashville residents, would have made him proud. I’m delighted to see the Man in Black celebrated alongside the Boys in Gold.”
Reprinted by request from Music City Nashville.
Related Links: For more information on NASHVILLE SC and the other organizations mentioned, please visit the following links – Nashville SC | Johnny Cash | John Carter Cash
