NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville SC has been able to produce well on the road so far this season, but the club is now looking forward to the opportunity that an extended run of games at First Tennessee Park will offer as it hosts North Carolina FC on Saturday night.

“I think everyone is excited and ready,” said NSC defender Ryan James. “We’ve had a long stretch of away games and we just know that when the going gets tough, especially in the homestand, it’s not going to be an easy way through all the home games. The fans will have our back when we get the environment. We’ll be good and we just know that we need to be strong here at home for the away games that we had, for the six games we had just a little while ago, to pay off. Everyone’s very excited and knows that these home games are very important.”

Nashville has gone 3-0-0 at its permanent home this season, with the only draw having come at Nissan Stadium in its home opener on March 24. After a 3-1 victory against Penn FC two weeks ago, the side has scored multiple goals in each of its contests at First Tennessee Park and that’s set some heightened expectations for the side as it sits sixth after a solid opening-third of the season according to Head Coach Gary Smith.

“The biggest challenge now going through the second third of the season is building on our start,” said Smith. “Our fans expect us to play well and win games at home. It’s a different feeling than going on the road and battling teams at their home. Can we get into a stride or a run of form that sees two or three wins out of this next stage? That would be fabulous.” 

USL Insights – Nashville’s Magnificent Seven

One of the players looking forward to the first meeting between Nashville and North Carolina is Bolu Akinyode, who made 22 appearances for NCFC last season ahead of his offseason move to the Music City. The 24-year-old has made a solid impact for Nashville, leading the side with an 89.1 percent accuracy rate on 48.2 passes per 90 minutes, and also a team-high 19 tackles won as he patrols the center of midfield.

“I have friends on the team, so I always look at how guys are doing and obviously wish the best for them because they’re my friends, you know?” said Akinyode. “They’re a good team, obviously. Anyone can beat anyone on any day. You still have to go out and perform and I think that’s what we’ll be looking to do here.”

With North Carolina having flexed its attacking muscle in a 4-2 midweek victory against Ottawa Fury FC, Nashville is hoping its week of rest can allow it to bring the energy it will need to dictate the terms of the game and continue its seven-game league undefeated streak.

“I think when you look at the type of group they are, they are the type of team that if they can get into a flow and a rhythm, they are a very talented side,” said Smith. “They have a nice shape and organization in possession. Our biggest challenge is to make sure we are assertive as possible at home and control the game.”