Nashville SC will now look to convert attendees from its opening day crowd into hardcore soccer fansGETTY IMAGES
There were 59,069 fans in attendance at Nissan Stadium on Saturday night for Nashville SC's debut against Atlanta United, which set a "state record for attendance at a soccer game," according to Tommy Deas of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Athletic or otherwise, Nashville "loves a big event." The first-ever MLS game for Nashille SC "was an event," and from now on, a match is "just a match." The club's opener "brought together elements from the soccer community, the city's sports fans and the merely curious." Big-league soccer is Nashville's "new athletic toy." Deas: "That should help carry the franchise for awhile, but there's more to be done." If Nashville SC can "convert a third of the opening crowd into hardcore fans who show up every time out, it will approach last year's average league attendance, which was just short of 22,000" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/1).
KUDOS FROM COMMISSIONER: In Nashville, Erik Bacharach noted MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who was in attendance for Atlanta United's victory over Nashville SC, said that he was "awed by the spectacle of the event." Garber: "I've had a couple of new team openers over the last 20 years and this one ranks, at least for me, as one of the most exciting. I literally got chills in the pregame ceremony." Garber said that the crowd and atmosphere "over-delivered." Garber: "We were convinced that if we came into this market, which we always thought was a city on the rise, it had such a passion and energy and culture to it ... that if we got it right, if we got the right ownership group, if we got through the challenges we had which were significant on the stadium project, that we'd have a night like tonight. We've kind of delivered on our expectations, but this is the beginning of a long journey. And I've been around a long time. Talk to me four, five, 10 years from now and I think it'll be as successful, if not more" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/1).
BUILDING A FAN BASE: In Nashville, Drake Hills noted Garber suggested that MLS, particularly in the south, "must take advantage of the increased participation of youth soccer in the region for fan growth." Atlanta United included rappers Big Boi and Ludacris as "club ambassadors while also hosting frequent pick-up soccer events in the community." Nashville SC has "completed similar objectives" by hosting bands like Judah and The Lion and musicians like Lzzy Hale and athletes including Titans RB Derrick Henry and Dodgers RF Mookie Betts. Hills noted Nashville SC will have "three rituals to create what the club calls a down-home feeling." First, the club will "host a musician to perform a guitar riff in the supporters' section prior to each home match." Second, there will be a "Music City-rooted singer performing the national anthem." Lastly, Judah and The Lion "recorded Nashville SC's inaugural club anthem and was scheduled for a 20-minute performance shortly before kickoff Saturday." Nashville SC Owner John Ingram believes the club anthem "will unite Nashville" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/1).
COMING TOGETHER: In Nashville, Gentry Estes wrote Ingram is the "reason behind this new Nashville season." This is "Ingram's team in his city." It is "here, lasting and yet brand new." But while he "knows what to expect, at the same time he can't entirely know." Ingram said, "I'm determined to enjoy it because it's been hard." Estes noted the situation over the stadium "grew tough for many reasons." During the course of it, Ingram's efforts became "heroic to Nashville SC's supporters." After the deal with Mayor John Cooper was finalized, they "chanted Ingram's name in approval at a fan event that night off Broadway." Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre said there was "only one hero in the process," and it was Ingram (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/1).
