Score prediction, what to watch out for

A 2-0 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday night wasn’t enough to save Gary Smith’s job with Nashville SC.

NSC fired Smith on Thursday, parting ways with the only coach the club has ever had. Meanwhile, player development coach Rumba Munthali has been elevated to the role of interim coach. Munthali will lead Nashville (3-4-5, 14 points, T-9th Eastern Conference) into Saturday’s nationally televised home game against Southern Championship rival Atlanta United (12:45 p.m., FOX).

Here’s what to watch for as the post-Smith era begins at Nashville SC:

Gary Smith responded to fan criticism before being fired

On Wednesday, Smith was “greeted” with boos from a sparse Geodis Park crowd when his name was announced during pre-match introductions. Fan frustration with Smith had grown as NSC’s form suffered since last season – before Wednesday, the club had won just four of its previous 26 matches against an MLS opponent.

Smith addressed that frustration with the final response of his postgame press conference, while at the same time calling for a strong and energetic atmosphere against Atlanta.

“What they think of me or the future of the club is irrelevant to what they do to support the group,” Smith said. “…They’ve been great to me for a long, long time. And at some point, guess what? I won’t be there. Some will be happy, some won’t.

“But while we’re in this position, the only thing I could ask them to do is support the group and be positive around the group. The weekend couldn’t be a better opportunity to do that. guys need it. We’ve always been at our best when there was a good atmosphere, there were lots of fans and they were supporting us.”

MORE:What to know about Nashville SC interim coach Rumba Munthali with Gary Smith fired

Atlanta United struggled in 2024

Atlanta (3-6-3, 12 points, T-12th Eastern Conference) finds itself in a similar situation to Nashville to start the season. The historic club, which finished two points ahead of Nashville in last season’s standings, arrives Saturday having lost three league matches in a row.

Atlanta hasn’t won in MLS in seven games, dating back to a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire on March 31. Gonzalo Pineda, who is in his third full season as the team’s coach, felt the temperature in his seat rise. during this period.

Score prediction, what to watch out for

Dax McCarty returns to Nashville

This winter, Nashville chose not to renew the contract of midfielder Dax McCarty, who then signed with Atlanta during free agency.

McCarty, who turned 37 last month, had been with NSC since the club’s first season in MLS and was its first captain. In four seasons in Nashville, he played 121 games and totaled two goals and 13 assists.

In his 19th season in Major League Soccer, McCarty made seven appearances in all competitions, including three starts. While he only had 113 minutes in Atlanta’s first 10 matches, he started two of the last three matches and played 209 minutes in total, including a 90-minute performance in the US Open victory Cup last week against Charlotte Independence.

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