As the Nashville Sports scene grows and improves, opportunities arise giving birth to new organizations and avenues for the expansion of the sports landscaping in Nashville. Last night the Nashville Sports Council teamed up with the Nashville Soccer Club, the city’s latest addition.
During this event a panel was brought onto the stage to discuss the team’s future endeavors. The panel consisted of 5 players from the team, head coach Gary Smith, and President Court Jeske. Through this panel, the team gave the audience insight on the fundamentals of their organization, and how they plan to tackle the current season. The event was held at Nissan Stadium starting at 5pm featuring a buffet for all attendees, and a soccer club themed give away.
As you may know, the city of Nashville was offered a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, which will begin play in 2020. The first USL game was on March 17th against the Louisville City FC, in a hard fought loss to the former champions. President Court Jeske was the first to take the stand, and he explained how the city of Nashville was the ideal place to start a new soccer club. He went on to discuss the community spirit, and the support that the city of Nashville gives its organizations and how it was necessary to this clubs success that they get that same support. Jeske, originally from Oklahoma but based out of New York has 16 years of experience working in professional sports, including eight with MLS, he also played a major part in organizing last year’s Mexico vs. New Zealand soccer match at Nissan Stadium. The success is something that Jeske has seen on a large scale, and he explained how he planned on bringing that aura of success to the city of Nashville.
During this event, we also got some input from the head coach Gary Smith. Smith discussed how much faith Jeske put in him, and how he plans to have a successful season by making a playoff run. Smith is also not new to success, as he led the Colorado Rapids to the MLS championship in 2010. Smith went on to describe the positive energy he got from the city of Nashville, and how he planned to use that as motivation for the current season.
After Smith discussed his expectations for the current season, the conversation shifted to the players and we were able to get their perspective on the upcoming season and some recap from last weekend’s game. The players were just as positive as Coach Smith, as they explained how they were proud of their efforts during the last game, and how they planned to improve and sharpen their poise as a team.
Bradley Bourgeois, one of the five players on the panel, discussed the difference in support between his former team in Oklahoma, and the support his team receives in Nashville. He went on to state, that there was a difference in support that he received in Nashville, and how that support was beneficial to the team’s success.
Goalie C.j Cochran discussed the team’s goals this year, and how they planned on maximizing their talents. He explained that they have to maintained a level head, but never settle and constantly improve ultimately making a playoff run. The panel was full of affirmative energy, as you could see the confidence on the players and Coach Smith’s face. The Nashville Sports Council is looking forward to the Nashville’s Soccer club season, and the support that the city of Nashville will bring to this club.