|
• All Feature Articles
Nashville Rhythm FC Keeps the Beat for Women's Soccer in Music City
by Rich and Laura Lynch
In Nashville and nationally - there's an embarrassment of riches this year when it comes to the abundant amount of high-level soccer that is taking place here, there and everywhere. The men's entry into MLS known as Nashville SC is enjoying a successful second season in the circuit even as their new home rises across town at the Fairgrounds.
A look at the action on the field at Father Ryan High School in Nashville.
That club's current home turf Nissan Stadium is set to continue its recent run of great games by hosting a World Cup qualifier featuring the USNMT and Canada in September. Also, let's not forget that the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams are about to put their skills on display at the Tokyo Olympics. Because that tournament was delayed a year due to the Covid cancellation it comes immediately on the heels of next year's battle between the top teams on the planet. So, it is currently hard to ignore the sport known around the world as football.
Girls hoping to find footy inspiration in Music City need look no further than the Nashville Rhythm FC - a women's amateur club based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 2017, the Rhythm compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League. The WPSL season is played in the summer months of May - July in between collegiate seasons. Nashville Rhythm FC strives to improve soccer in the greater Nashville area by bringing in top-quality coaches and elite female athletes.
The Nashville Rhythm FC kept up a frenetic and impressive pace on the field in Music City.
Rhythm players consist of collegiate athletes among elite programs at the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels, native to the Nashville area, across the country, as well as international. Since its inaugural season, nine former players have taken their careers to the professional level in top leagues in Europe among countries such as Sweden, Spain, England, Finland, Iceland, and Greece. Three players have also earned positions at the international stage with national teams including Northern Ireland, Argentina, and Jamaica.
The 2021 campaign was a glorious one for the ladies all the way up to the last match of the season. The Rhythm finished at the top of the six-team Southeast Conference with a 7-1-2 record amassing 23 points along the way giving them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, a strong showing and 4-0 victory against Alabama in the semi-finals could not be matched on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Father Ryan High School in Nashville when the hometown heroes matched up against the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for regional bragging rights.
Defense dominated the second half as both squads were unable to find the back of the next in the final 45 minutes.
A pre-game torrential downpour delayed the kickoff by 30 minutes to 5:30 p.m. but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Rhythm who jumped out to a quick 1-nil lead with some impressive foot work. But, our girls were overmatched and undermanned as they were only able to field 11 players due to injuries and weather related withdrawals by a few of the collegiate stars unwilling to jeopardize their scholarship status by playing on the slick artificial surface. So, the well stocked Red Wolves quickly responded with two goals of their own to complete the scoring in the first half for a slim 2-1 margin allowing them to carry the Conference Championship banner back to Chattanooga.
The Rhythm organization is committed to inspiring and encouraging future female athletes by providing a family-oriented environment at affordable costs to make it more accessible for youth to watch top-class athletes compete. Come back next year as the girls battle it out on the pitch once again hoping for only a slightly better result in the 2022 campaign.
When the full-time tally was realized the Rhythm came up one goal short of their championship dreams.
Related Links:
For more information on the NASHVILLE RHYTHM SC and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Nashville Rhythm FC |
WPSL Soccer
|
