The Nashville Soccer Club opened the 2023 Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in front of a crowd of 28,051 at GEODIS Park. Jacob Shaffelburg scored the insurance goal for Nashville SC in the 80th minute.
Defender Walker Zimmerman anchored the backline to a shutout and scored the game-winning goal for Nashville SC after finding the back of the net in the first half. As a homage to Johnny Cash, Zimmerman ran to the corner flag using it as a mic and singing the song ‘Ring of Fire.’
After entering the match as a sub in the 75th minute, 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar made an immediate impact on the pitch running through the New York defense and setting up Shaffelburg who scored the second goal of the contest five minutes after Mukhtar’s arrival.
For the first time in club history Nashville SC did not wear gold in a home contest as Nashville SC sported its new Man in Black Kit on Saturday. The night honored Johnny Cash with the inspired kits and musical performances from his son, John Carter Cash.
Prior to the game, the Nashville Soccer Club announced the contract extension of Head Coach Gary Smith and his coaching staff through the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Smith’s extension comes after three successful inaugural seasons reaching the playoffs consecutively, a feat only expansion sides Atlanta United FC, Chicago Fire FC, LAFC, and Seattle Sounders FC have ever accomplished.
The Nashville SC will take on the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 4, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm, CT, and will be televised on the MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
