Five things we learned from Nashville SC's first soccer game

Nashville SC played its first game in front of a sold-out crowd of 9,059 against Atlanta United FC at First Tennessee Park.

Atlanta, preparing for its second MLS season, won the exhibition game 3-1. Here are five things we learned.

A soccer atmosphere

It might’ve been a dreary day because of the weather, however, that didn’t stop First Tennessee Park from feeling like a soccer atmosphere. The Nashville supporter group, located next to the third-base dugout, was constantly singing and keeping the energy level high.

"Credit to the city of Nashville coming out and supporting us," Nashville goalie Matt Pickens said. "Hopefully, they got a good show. When you look at the whole thing, realistically we've been together 12, 13 days so hopefully this gives (the fans) a little taste of what we're about. And we got to see what they're about as well."

Atlanta fans came out in droves and braved the rain. There might’ve been some criticism when Nashville was chosen to be an MLS expansion franchise, but the fan base showed on Saturday that it can indeed create a soccer atmosphere.

It remains to be seen if it’ll carry over when Nashville's debut USL season begins next month, but Saturday was a good showcase of the potential the team has to having a strong base.

Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan is sold.

"I think MLS, when it does come eventually, it's going to be a hit here," Guzan said. "I think this team in the USL will be a very good team."

Ropapa Mensah makes Nashville history

Mensah provided the highlight of the game for Nashville. In the 64th minute, Mensah chipped Atlanta goalkeeper Alec Kann, scoring Nashville SC’s first goal. The goal tied the game at 1.

Mensah, who is from Ghana, is the youngest player on the team at age 20. Mensah was voted Man of the Match.

"Ropapa has been here one week," Nashville coach Gary Smith said. "He had a long, long journey on Sunday. And 25 minutes and a goal was a great return."

Field will take some getting used to

The playing conditions were not ideal on Saturday. The constant rain had a major impact on the field. There were bits and parts down the first-base line that had more puddles than left field.

Field workers used squeegees just before kickoff and at halftime to try to limit puddles. The poor field contributed to Atlanta’s first goal as Josef Martinez pounced on a loose ball outside the box. The ball got stuck moving through the puddles.

There’s also the issue the team will have to overcome of going from a practice soccer field to a makeshift one.

Nashville's home jersey revealed

Prior the the start of the game, Nashville unveiled its home jersey for the season. Players lined up along the first-base line and took off their tops showing the home kit for the USL season.

The jersey is gold with white sleeves and the shorts are gold.

A fan vote through Nashville SC’s website and through social media let fans decide the design of the jersey for home games.

Up next

Nashville’s next preseason game is on Feb. 21 against the MLS’ Chicago Fire in Bradenton, Fla. Nashville will begin the 2018 USL season on the road against Louisville City FC on March 17.

The team’s first-ever regular season home game is against the Pittsburgh Hounds on March 24.

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9638 and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.