History of Nashville SC in Timeline

Nashville SC is a professional soccer club based in Nashville, Tennessee, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Eastern Conference. After two seasons in the USL Championship, the team joined MLS as an expansion team. The club's home matches are played at Geodis Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States. The team is principally owned by John Ingram, owner of Ingram Industries, along with investors and partial owners the Turner family of Dollar General Stores.

1982: Nashville Diamonds Participation

In 1982, the Nashville Diamonds participated in the then-second division American Soccer League for one season.

1989: Nashville Metros Started Playing

In 1989, the Nashville Metros began playing in the lower divisions of American soccer.

2005: Vanderbilt Commodores Demise

After the 2005 season, the Vanderbilt Commodores Division I men's soccer team ceased to exist.

2010: Gary Smith Wins MLS Cup

In 2010, Gary Smith won the MLS Cup as a coach.

2012: Nashville Metros Ceased Operations

In 2012, the Nashville Metros, a prominent soccer team in the lower divisions, ceased operations.

2013: Nashville FC Founded

In 2013, Nashville FC was founded and began playing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

February 2014: The Roadies Established

In February 2014, The Roadies, Nashville SC's original organized supporter group, was established with the creation of Nashville FC.

February 2014: Nashville FC Groups Merge

In February 2014, two groups merged to form Nashville FC for the 2014 NPSL season.

August 2016: Nashville MLS Organizing Committee Formed

In August 2016, the Nashville MLS Organizing Committee, led by Bill Hagerty, was formed to secure funding for an MLS stadium.

2016: Nashville FC Played Last Season

In 2016, Nashville FC played its last season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

January 2017: Formal Bid to Add MLS Franchise

In January 2017, the formal bid to add an MLS franchise to Nashville began.

March 4, 2017: Ingram Buys Stake in DMD Soccer

On March 4, 2017, businessman John Ingram, under Nashville Holdings LLC, bought a majority stake in DMD Soccer, the ownership group of Nashville SC.

April 2017: Gary Smith Announced as Manager

In April 2017, Gary Smith, former 2010 MLS Cup winning coach, was announced as the first manager of Nashville SC.

October 2017: Stadium and Redevelopment Plans Unveiled

In October 2017, plans for a $275 million stadium and redevelopment project were unveiled.

November 2017: Stadium Funding Agreement Approved

In November 2017, an agreement with the Nashville Metro Council was approved regarding the funding of the Geodis Park stadium.

December 20, 2017: MLS Awards Expansion Team to Nashville

On December 20, 2017, MLS officially awarded an expansion team to Nashville and announced that they would join the league in 2020. Mike Jacobs and Ian Ayre were announced as Nashville's first general manager and CEO respectively.

2017: USL Entry Target

By 2017, Nashville FC had the reported target of entry into the then third-tier United Soccer League (USL; now known as the USL Championship).

February 10, 2018: Nashville SC's First Game

On February 10, 2018, Nashville SC competed in their first game, a preseason match against Atlanta United FC, losing 3–1.

September 4, 2018: Stadium Approved by Council

On September 4, 2018, the council approved the stadium in front of an audience with mixed opinions on the project, with the votes 31-yes and 8-no.

2018: Nashville SC Begins Play

In 2018, Nashville SC, the recently awarded USL expansion team, began play.

January 2019: Lawsuit to Halt Construction

In January 2019, John Rose, a U.S. representative from Cookeville led the nonprofit that operates the Tennessee State Fair to sue the team to halt construction, citing that the stadium would not leave adequate space required for the functions of the fair.

February 13, 2020: Stadium Funding Details Amended

On February 13, 2020, the stadium and its funding details were amended to make the stadium 100 percent privately funded, with the team also funding $19 million of infrastructure improvements in the immediate area.

February 29, 2020: Nashville SC's Inaugural MLS Match

Nashville SC's inaugural MLS match was on February 29, 2020, hosting Atlanta United FC at Nissan Stadium with Walker Zimmerman scoring the team's first goal in the 2–1 loss. The game was played in front of 59,069, becoming the highest attended soccer event in Tennessee.

March 12, 2020: MLS Season Suspended

On March 12, 2020, the inaugural season came to a halt after only two games when the MLS suspended the season for thirty days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2020: Demolition on Fairgrounds Site Begins

Demolition on the Fairgrounds site began in March 2020, as part of stadium construction.

May 10, 2020: MLS Season Suspension Extended

The MLS extended the suspension of the season until May 10, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: North American Soccer League Target

By 2020, Nashville FC had the ambition of ascension into the Division II North American Soccer League.

2020: Nashville SC Joins MLS

In 2020, Nashville SC joined the MLS.

2020: Statistics include MLS matches

Statistics include all competitive matches since Nashville SC entered the MLS in 2020.

2021: Nashville SC Defensive Performance

During the 2021 season, Nashville SC performed well defensively, only allowing a tied for league-leading 33 goals and going undefeated at home. The 2021 team also tied a league record for draws in a season at 18.

2022: Mukhtar Wins MVP and Golden Boot

In 2022, Geodis Park opened and Hany Mukhtar won both the Landon Donovan MVP and Golden Boot awards after being a finalist for the former in the previous season. Mukhtar led the league with 34 goal contributions, nearly two thirds of Nashville's goals in 2022.