MusicCityNashville.net: Building a Real Soccer-Based Community in Music City with Nashville SC

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Building a Real Soccer-Based Community in Music City with Nashville SC

by Rich and Laura Lynch

There is something hypnotic about sitting in the stands at a Nashville SC soccer match. Over two 45 minute halves the constant rhythmic drumming and well coordinated chants provided by the club's most die-hard supporters known as the Backline Roadies creates a mesmerizing and tribal atmosphere. Additionally, it occurred to us during the final two matches of the team's season opening four game home-stretch against Miami (5/2/21) and New England (5/8/21) that the second year MLS franchise stands a better chance of unifying the region's populace in a more significant way than any of the city's other pro sports entities.

Building a Real Soccer-Based Community in Music City with Nashville SC

Tempo the Coyote is helping to build a real communiTEA in Nashville.

The stands in Nissan Stadium are regularly filled with footy fans from Nashville - many of whom came to love the sport in regions of the world where the game is much more popular than it has been traditionally received here in the States. This diverse group of adherents and aficionados from Latin America, Africa and European nations who reside within the greater Nashville melting pot now have a new banner courtesy of the "Gold and Blue" to gather under and by doing so Music City's most unique sporting community is being developed. Still, the team's mascot Tempo works each game to build unity among fans by taking a few friendly shots at the other team's communities - making fun of Montreal for being a "syrup" city or taking a jab at the way Bostonians pronounce their words - "It's Lobster, not Lobstah!"

Fans get their kicks from the Boys in Gold in Nashville.

The owners of Nashville SC are well aware of the importance of community mindedness and to that end they have created an outreach called "Section 615" presented by DEX Imaging. This special section in Nissan Stadium is dedicated to community members of the Nashville area. Dubbed after the area code of Music City, this section of designated seats will be given by the club to people and groups who are doing good work in and around Nashville. Fans and members of the community can nominate individuals or groups who are dedicated to serving Nashville. Recipients receive match tickets, t-shirts, and videoboard recognition.

Supporters and scenes at recent Nashville SC matches.

Nashville SC has also recently announced that Century Farms in Antioch is the location where the club plans to build their new multi-million dollar training complex. Centrally located in the heart of Nashville's fastest growing corridor, just 10 miles Southeast of Downtown, and extremely accessible to a four-county area, the 15-acre complex will feature three full-size soccer pitches as well as a state-of-the-art sports facility designed to host Nashville SC's first team and staff. This new first-class practice facility is sure to have a direct economic impact and be a moral boost for this region on the rise. In addition, the club is spear-heading the Nashville SC Academy as a fully funded, elite youth soccer program based in Nashville to grow the game and the football community by providing players with an unparalleled youth soccer experience.

Fans get their kicks from the Boys in Gold in Nashville.

Finally, Nashville is known as Music City for a reason and many of the world's top musicians, guitar players and country stars live here. Thanks to Gibson Guitars and their Opening Guitar Riff of the Game fans attending matches may see rock legends like Dave Mustaine and John Oates tear it up on a gold and blue Les Paul. The National Anthem allows for more singers to show off their chops including recent appearances by artists on the rise like Jessie James Decker, RaeLynn and Breland. So, it's easy to see from the various vantage points of music, culture, youth athletics and ethnic diversity that a truly unique community is taking shape thanks to Nashville SC and the presence of MLS soccer in town. See what a few well-thought out goals can achieve? Stay tuned -- there's more scoring to come.