Nashville Soccer Club is a professional men's soccer team located in Nashville, Tennessee, that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). The team was founded in 2020 as a successor to a USL team with the same name. Geodis Park serves as the venue for their home games. John Ingram, the proprietor of Ingram Industries, is the primary owner, while the Turner family, who owns Dollar General Stores, is also a significant investor and co-owner.
1982: Nashville Diamonds Participation
In 1982, the Nashville Diamonds participated in the second division American Soccer League for one season. This early involvement in professional soccer laid the groundwork for future soccer endeavors in Nashville.
1989: Nashville Metros Formation
In 1989, the Nashville Metros soccer team was established. They played until 2012, representing Nashville in the lower divisions of American soccer. This period marked the beginning of Nashville's involvement in professional soccer.
2005: End of Vanderbilt Commodores Soccer
In 2005, the Vanderbilt Commodores men's soccer team played its final season. This marked the end of the university's participation in Division I men's soccer.
2010: Gary Smith Wins MLS Cup
In 2010, Gary Smith led the Colorado Rapids to an MLS Cup championship. This achievement highlighted his coaching credentials and later influenced his hiring by Nashville SC.
2012: End of Nashville Metros
The Nashville Metros played their final season in 2012, concluding a notable chapter in Nashville's soccer history. The team had been active since 1989, competing in lower divisions of American soccer.
2013: Nashville FC Establishment
In 2013, Nashville FC was founded and began playing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). This team represented a new era of soccer in Nashville, building on the legacy of previous teams like the Metros.
February 2014: Nashville FC Merger
In February 2014, Nashville FC was formed by merging a supporters group and an existing team. The merger was inspired by fan-owned clubs like F.C. United of Manchester, aiming to create a community-driven team in Nashville.
May 19, 2016: Nashville SC Announcement
On May 19, 2016, Nashville SC was officially announced. The ownership group included David Dill, Christopher Redhage, and Marcus Whitney, who brought diverse backgrounds in health care and sports to the team.
August 2016: Formation of Nashville MLS Organizing Committee
In August 2016, Nashville business leaders formed the Nashville MLS Organizing Committee to secure funding for an MLS stadium. Led by Bill Hagerty, the group sought to bring an MLS team to Nashville, supporting the USL expansion team, Nashville SC.
2016: End of Nashville FC
Nashville FC played its final season in 2016 before transitioning its name and identity to the newly established Nashville SC in the USL. This move was part of the broader effort to bring high-level soccer to Nashville.
2016: USL Franchise Awarded to Nashville
In 2016, the United Soccer League (USL) awarded a franchise to a new ownership group in Nashville. As a result, Nashville FC sold its name, logo, and colors to the new USL franchise, which became Nashville SC.
January 2017: Formal MLS Bid Begins
In January 2017, the formal bid to add an MLS franchise to Nashville began. This marked the start of efforts to bring top-tier soccer to the city, with John Ingram playing a key role.
March 4, 2017: John Ingram Buys Majority Stake
On March 4, 2017, businessman John Ingram acquired a majority stake in DMD Soccer, the ownership group of Nashville SC. Ingram led the bid to bring an MLS franchise to Nashville, presenting a united front to MLS.
April 12, 2017: Gary Smith Hired as Head Coach
On April 12, 2017, Gary Smith, who led the Colorado Rapids to an MLS Cup championship in 2010, was hired as head coach and technical director of Nashville SC. His experience was expected to bolster the team's performance.
August 2017: Wilf Family Joins as Investors
In August 2017, Mark Wilf, Zygi Wilf, and Leonard Wilf joined Nashville SC as investors. The Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings, brought significant experience and resources to the team.
October 2017: $275 Million Stadium Plan Unveiled
In October 2017, plans for a $275 million stadium and redevelopment project were unveiled by the Nashville MLS Organizing Committee. The project was approved by the city in November, marking a significant step towards securing an MLS team.
November 2017: Stadium Agreement Approved
In November 2017, the agreement for the funding and construction of a $275 million stadium for Nashville SC was approved by the Nashville Metro Council. This approval was crucial for securing an MLS franchise for the city.
December 20, 2017: MLS Awards Expansion Team to Nashville
On December 20, 2017, MLS officially awarded an expansion team to Nashville, announcing that the team would join the league in 2020. This marked a significant milestone in Nashville's soccer history.
2017: Target for USL Entry
Nashville FC aimed to enter the United Soccer League (USL) by 2017. Although the club did not achieve this goal independently, the ambition highlighted the desire to climb the American soccer pyramid.
February 10, 2018: First Game for Nashville SC
On February 10, 2018, Nashville SC competed in their first game, a preseason match against Atlanta United FC. Despite a 3–1 loss, the game was a historic moment for the club, watched by 9,059 spectators.
May 21, 2018: Ian Ayre Announced as CEO
On May 21, 2018, Ian Ayre was announced as the CEO of Nashville SC. His appointment was a strategic move to bring experienced leadership to the franchise.
September 4, 2018: Council Approves Stadium
On September 4, 2018, the Nashville Metro Council approved the construction of a new $275 million stadium for Nashville SC. The approval, with a vote of 31-yes to 8-no, marked a significant step towards building a soccer-specific venue for the team.
October 30, 2018: Mike Jacobs Announced as General Manager
On October 30, 2018, Mike Jacobs was announced as the general manager of Nashville SC. His role was crucial in building the team's roster and guiding its strategic direction.
2018: Nashville SC Begins Play
In 2018, Nashville SC began playing in the USL. This marked the start of the team's journey in professional soccer and laid the foundation for their eventual entry into Major League Soccer.
January 2019: Lawsuit to Halt Stadium Construction
In January 2019, John Rose, a U.S. representative from Cookeville, led a nonprofit to sue Nashville SC to halt the construction of their stadium. The lawsuit claimed that the stadium would not leave adequate space for the Tennessee State Fair.
February 20, 2019: MLS Side Assumes Nashville SC Name
On February 20, 2019, the operators of Nashville's MLS franchise announced that the team would assume the Nashville Soccer Club name, previously used by the city's USL Championship side. This move aligned both teams under a single identity.
February 13, 2020: Stadium Funding Agreement Amended
On February 13, 2020, the funding agreement for Nashville SC's stadium was amended to make the stadium 100 percent privately funded. The team also committed to funding $19 million in infrastructure improvements in the surrounding area, with the help of Nashville Mayor John Cooper.
February 29, 2020: Inaugural MLS Match
On February 29, 2020, Nashville SC played their inaugural MLS match, hosting Atlanta United FC at Nissan Stadium. The game was attended by 59,069 fans, marking the highest attended soccer event in Tennessee. Walker Zimmerman scored Nashville's first MLS goal in the 2–1 loss.
March 12, 2020: MLS Season Suspended
On March 12, 2020, the MLS season was suspended after only two games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This suspension marked a significant disruption in Nashville SC's inaugural season.
March 2020: Demolition Begins at Fairgrounds
In March 2020, demolition began at the Fairgrounds site to make way for the new Nashville SC stadium. This marked the start of construction for the much-anticipated soccer-specific venue.
May 10, 2020: Extended MLS Suspension
On May 10, 2020, the MLS extended its suspension of the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This extension further delayed Nashville SC's ability to compete in their inaugural season.
2020: First MLS Cup Playoff Appearance
Nashville SC appeared in their first MLS Cup Playoffs in 2020.
2020: Nashville SC Enters MLS
Nashville SC began competing in Major League Soccer in 2020 and started tracking statistics from competitive matches.
2020: Nashville SC Begins MLS Play
In 2020, Nashville Soccer Club began its play in Major League Soccer, transitioning from the USL club of the same name. The team plays its home matches at Geodis Park and is principally owned by John Ingram. The year 2020 marked a significant milestone in Nashville SC's history as they entered the top tier of American soccer.
2021: Second MLS Cup Playoff Appearance
Nashville SC made their second consecutive appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2021.
2022: Third MLS Cup Playoff Appearance
For the third consecutive year, Nashville SC competed in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022.
2023: Fourth MLS Cup Playoff Appearance
In 2023, Nashville SC reached the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.