NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — BJ Callahan has been hearing from people wanting to talk football because of the World Cup, and the Nashville coach believes this is a big moment. major league soccer The second half of this season begins.
“The job for all of us in football is to continue to grow the game and make the most of it.” callahan he said Thursday. “Especially for Nashville. Listen, we have plenty of room in our bandwagon for anyone who wants to come. They’re welcome.”
Nashville certainly gave fans a lot to see.
Nashville is more than just a place to spend time. world cup They moved to the top of the MLS standings with 33 points, tying the team’s best start to an MLS season in the past 25 years. Nashville also leads the Eastern Conference with the fewest points conceded (11) and best goal differential (plus-20).
When Nashville hosts atlanta On Friday night, in their first game in 54 days, the roster included a league-high four All-Stars: goaltender Brian Schwake, defenseman Andy Najjar, midfielder Hany Mukhtar and forward Sam Surridge. This is Mukhtar’s fifth All-Star selection.
“We’ll probably get a few more,” Callahan said. all star game “I may be a greedy coach, but I think we have a lot of players on our team that deserve it.”
Home is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, GEODIS Park, with a capacity of 30,109 people. Nashville is averaging 27,527 points in 10 home games this year.
Nashville looks to improve in the second half
It’s hard to take a break when your team is playing well. Nashville is 8 games undefeated Their last MLS loss was on April 4th against the Chicago Fire. Nashville is also the only MLS team yet to lose on its home pitch, with a 6-0-1 record and outscoring opponents 23-9 at GEODIS Park.
Nashville also became the first MLS team to win at Mexico’s Estadio Azteca. win club america They will advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in April.
Callahan said the second half of the season is a clean slate for everyone in MLS as they work to improve and improve their rosters. He wants to see Nashville play with intensity and an offensive mindset.
“We know we have to keep getting better each time,” Callahan said. “We don’t just pick up where we left off.”
Nashville acquires Elias Saad from German Bundesliga
Now, Nashville has its own World Cup ties, announcing on Thursday the addition of attacker Elias Saad on loan from German Bundesliga side FC Augsberg until May. Saad started two of Tunisia’s three World Cup matches and was included in the national squad.
Saad, 26, has made 28 career appearances for FC Augsberg, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Mr. Callaghan did not have a timetable for Mr. Saad’s arrival. He said Nashville is very intentional about adding a player who brings versatility and another strong attacker to a talented group.
Chance to recover from World Cup hiatus
Surridge, who only returned from a hip injury on May 23 before the suspension, is just one of several Nashville players who took advantage of the hiatus between MLS games to recover and strengthen. Despite playing just eight league games due to injury, Surridge has scored nine goals in MLS this season, tied for fifth-most goals.
“Hopefully we can carry that into the season and continue what we’ve been doing,” Surridge said.
Midfielders Eddie Tagseth and Najjar are both questionable, but Callahan said midfielder Patrick Yazbek will be out for a little longer.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
