Nashville SC head into the 2023 MLS season once again looking to make a splash.

In just three seasons as an MLS club, Nashville have established themselves as regular challengers, reaching the Playoffs in every campaign so far while finishing third in the East in 2021 and fifth in the West last year.

Gary Smith’s side return to the Eastern Conference this year following the addition of St. Louis CITY SC and will certainly be looking to tick off another achievement by winning at least one match in the Playoffs for the first time.

So, here’s everything you need to know about Nashville SC ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.

---

---

Transfers in

Transfers out

---

Gary Smith has switched between a number of formations over the past 12 months, most prominently using 5-3-2, but also trying out 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-1-1 shaps as well.

Regardless of the setup, he’s always looked to keep his team compact and tough to break down, relying on speed and precision on the break to carve out attacking opportunities.

Last season, it has to be said that Nashville lacked consistency and fluidity, and were largely carried by the MVP and Golden Boot-winning form of Hany Mukhtar. But that owed largely to a busy away schedule at the start of the season while their new GEODIS Park stadium was being finished.

We know Nashville are better and while the setup from Smith will be the same, the results should be much better.

Nashville SC predicted XI (5-3-2): Willis; Moore, Maher, Zimmerman, DePuy, Lovitz; Godoy, Davis, McCarty; Mukhtar, Leal.

---

Hany Mukhtar

Nashville SC have a lot of big characters in their side, including Walker Zimmerman, Dax McCarty, and Anibal Godoy. But none of them even come close to matching up with Hany Mukhtar.

The former Germany international should have won the MVP award in 2021 but instead of sulking about it, he got his head down, won the 2022 Golden Boot, and made it impossible to be snubbed for MVP a second time running.

Put simply, whether lining up as a striker, a No.10, or on the wing, Mukhtar is one of the best players in the league, capable of stunning goals, precision passing, dynamic dribbling, and so much more.

If Mukhtar doesn’t show, Nashville are in trouble. If he does, they’re contenders.

---

As mentioned, Nashville were not at their best last year. And yet, by a combination of Mukhtar being superhuman and just having a team that’s hard to beat, they still finished fifth in the Western Conference.

They haven’t really gotten much stronger over the winter, but they also haven’t got any weaker. That, coupled with the fact they will have a much more balanced schedule this time around, means we can expect a far more convincing unit.

And if Mukhtar continues on his current trajectory, we may even see a deep Playoffs run.

Will Nashville SC qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes