MusicCityNashville.net: It' Soccer Time in Music City with Nashville SC

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It' Soccer Time in Music City with Nashville SC

by Rich and Laura Lynch

It's a fine time to be a soccer fan in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2021, the fourth year team launched their second campaign in the top circuit following a successful Major League Soccer debut in 2020. That season had unexpected challenges but the work in developing a faithful following and a fervent football culture has resulted in many deserved dividends in year two.

It' Soccer Time in Music City with Nashville SC

Tempo - the new mascot in a mask - keeps the beat in Music City.

In addition to a bright and flashy home uniform and a theme song by Judah & the Lion ("Never Give Up On You") that rings out before and at the conclusion of every game, Nashville SC introduced their new Music City-themed mascot to fans in January. Tempo the Coyote is based on a footloose critter that made the news for its excursion inside the cavernous Music City Center in 2019. The furry and very cute soccer icon is sure to give rival Gnash a run for his money and as his name implies - Tempo sets the pace at every game leading the Backline supporters section as he takes a seat behind his drum kit.

The Boys in Gold work hard to get a result as coach Gary Smith looks on.

Nashville really has a leg up on every other city in MLS in terms of the experience it can offer fans. By partnering with local guitar manufacturers Gibson they have a famous or on the rise musician play a rip-roaring riff of the game to kick off every match. For the second contest of the year - a 2 to 2 draw against FC Montreal - the honor belonged to the heavily tattooed session musician Bones Owens who was onsite to promote his debut album.

Bones Owens got things off and running with the Gibson Riff of the game.

Speaking of making a record - Nashville is at the center of the nation's music industry with countless studios and production facilities strewn throughout town. Songs recorded here often go to the top of the charts and become the soundtracks of our lives. Nashville SC takes that concept and applies it to soccer by recording a master record in real time that documents all the exciting moments of the current game including shots, attempts and goals scored. One lucky fan of the match gets to take home a unique and one-of-a-kind memento ripped on electric yellow and acoustic blue vinyl to match the Boys in Gold team colors. It all adds up to a hit unlike any other in Music City U.S.A.