Nashville SC (3-2-4) makes its first-ever appearance in Pittsburgh, as it prepares to battle Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (4-0-6) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. This will be their second meeting this season, as the two clubs previously tied 0-0 in Nashville’s inaugural home game on March 24.
Nashville SC hit the ground running in its first season of USL play, holding a 2-1-1 record through its first four matches of the season. After the squad dropped its season opener to USL defending champion Louisville City FC, it bounced back to record three straight clean sheets en route to earning seven points in the standings.
Since this stretch, Nashville has held steady with a 1-1-3 record in its past five games. The club heads into its showdown with Riverhounds SC on a four-match unbeaten streak, as the last time it failed to log points came against Indy Eleven on April 14. Currently, Nashville sits in 10th place (one point out of a playoff spot) in the Eastern Conference standings.
Goalkeeper Matt Pickens has held strong for Nashville SC this season, playing every minute of the 2018 campaign to date. The keeper has five shutouts, which ranks tied for most in the Eastern Conference. The Washington, Missouri native holds a .778 save percentage and 0.67 goals-against average on the season.
Strengths
Stifling defense: Nashville SC has allowed just 0.67 goals per game this season and is tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with five clean sheets.
Tackles: Posting 124 tackles as a team this season, the USL newcomer has a 70.2 success rate, winning 87 of these battles.
Weaknesses
Conversion rate: Recording a 10.3 conversion rate this season, Nashville ranks third-to-last in the Eastern Conference.
Shots: In addition to its low conversion rate, the club has not consistently accumulated high shot totals this year and also ranks third-to-last in the Eastern Conference with 92 shots on the season.
