With only 66 days until Nashville SC kicks off the 2019 USL campaign against Loudoun United FC, anticipation for the new season is building. The combination of several high-profile signings and Nashville's entrance into MLS in 2020 look set to make Nashville SC's last season in USL an entertaining one. Two months out, we lay out our expectations for the 2019 USL season.





TABLE POSITION

Ben: "Home playoff game is a must. Has to be top 4."

Davey: "First in the Eastern Conference."

Slape: "Top 4 finish in the East at minimum, but I'd like to finish Top 2."

Sloop: "Top 4 finish."





PLAYOFFS

Ben: "Conference finals at least."

Davey: "Conference finals. If not further."

Slape: "Eastern Conference finals at minimum."

Sloop: "I don't have any expectations for playoffs; anything can happen."





GOALS SCORED

Ben: "65. Nashville has the talent to score more than that, but after seeing Smith's style of play, 65 feels pretty optimistic."

Davey: "59."

Slape: "60 goals minimum. Gary Smith didn't have great options up front last year, but he no longer has that excuse."

Sloop: "60."





GOALS CONCEDED

Ben: "30. Beats last year's goals against tally by one."

Davey: "25."

Slape: "30 goals conceded. Added some key pieces and returned the defensive core."

Sloop: "28."





SUMMER TRANSFERS

Ben: "3-4 high level signings to bring to MLS in 2020, ideally a top tier center back and a more attack minded no. 8, to build the foundation for more MLS signings in the offseason."

Davey: "I hope Jacobs' quote is right and Lancaster, Ríos, etc. are depth pieces on what will become our MLS team."

Slape: "I would love to see Nashville sign a bigger named attacking midfielder that will set NSC up for the move up to MLS."

Sloop: "I really don't care who they are as long as they are MLS forward-thinking signings."





OFF THE FIELD

Ben: "Keep the Nashville SC name and re-work the crest for MLS. Keep building the profile of soccer in Nashville."

Davey: "Logo retool."

Slape: "Clear branding for the MLS side. Retool the logo. Lock down a quality manager for next year."







