This week, we start a new series, as Stephen Boyd will be covering the season of Nashville FC and his journey to fandom. Look for it midday every Tuesday throughout the season.
OK, all of you Nashville FC supporters, I see you out there. On the streets, driving down Eastland Avenue with your yellow fluer de lis stickers on your Honda Elements. You’re at Fleet Street on Saturdays drinking a snakebite at 7:15 a.m. You’re the one in the corner with the Bristol City Rovers jersey, because the whole Big 4 thing is so passé. I know you, because I am you. Or at least, I am becoming you.
I’m a transplant to Nashville (shocker). From just down I-40 where the good folks grit and grind and the barbecue sauce is plenty vinegary. When I realized that Nashville had its own minor league soccer team — be it the fourth tier of the American system or otherwise — it piqued my interest. This is soccer (or football, or futbol, or whatever you want to call it, I don’t discriminate) played on a local level, without all the money, sponsorship, press, pressure or prizes. It is played simply because it is a game, and games are meant to be played. There is a cosmic simplicity to me. I’ve always daydreamed of being born a middle Englander, supporting my local club (I’m picturing Yeovil Town), a local team for local fans. In other words, a community. That is what I am hoping to find with Nashville FC.
This is a place to document my journey in becoming a NFC fan or not, a true Nashvillian (is that right? Is that what I am now? How many alt-country-power-punk bands have there been called the “NashVillains”?) or just another resident.
Nashville FC has its aspirations too. They want the big time. In their Making Nashville series on YouTube, club President Chris Jones states that the ultimate goal is reaching MLS (or at least the professional level).
The good news is that MLS is expanding with plans to grow the league from 24 to 30 teams in the next five or so years (four of those MLS teams will be beginning play in 2017 and 2018). And there is no doubt that Nashville has the national buzz, the correct demographics and potential for growth that MLS (or the NASL or USL, as The Tennessean reported) would be attracted to. So, the question becomes, is Nashville FC a club that could make that leap? After all, there are about 60 other NPSL teams out there with the same aspirations. And to be honest, about 15 of those teams won’t be in business next year. So, what makes NFC different?
With NFC’s first game of the season on May 7 at Vanderbilt Football Stadium (At 7 p.m., tickets still available) rapidly approaching, let’s get into it.
First of all, let’s have to look at last year. In 10 games, the boys in gold could only muster a table-middling 13 points. This is doubly disappointing because they had a very strong start, notching seven points out of the first three games. Then came the mid-season meltdown in June, out of five games and a possible 15 points, only a lone win against the Knoxville Force saved any face. By July, the hill was too steep for a playoff run.
Luckily it is a new season. The tables are reset, and it's nil-nil all across the country. The new season also offers up a tasty morsel, as newly formed Memphis City will be joining the ranks of the NPSL.
I know there is this “thing” between Memphis and Nashville, exacerbated by Memphis closing the deal to get that new IKEA (just when I needed a new Knutstorp). Could Memphis become as a big of a rival as Chattanooga? The I-40 Derby presented by Stuckeys? The trophy could just be an orange traffic cone. I mean, Nashville versus Chattanooga is hardly the Bloods and the Crips. It’s not even the Mighty Ducks vs. the Hawks.
But I digress, it’s the mighty Peachtree City MOBA coming to town on Saturday. I am finally going to get to see the boys in action, the Roadies in full voice, and what an almost completely empty SEC football stadium looks like up close. I’m ready, who’s with me? COYBIG! (thats what we say, right?)
If you have any questions, comments or rude jokes, you can leave them below or catch me on Twitter: @NFCHooligan.
