Nashville SC coach Gary Smith hits out at critics of expansion team's tactics

Gary Smith isn't entirely pleased with the way Nashville SC's defensive prowess over the club's first five games in their expansion campaign is being discussed. 

Nashville fell 2-0 to Atlanta United on Saturday but still have far and away the best record in MLS in expected goals against. Their xGA sits at 2.74, more than a goal better than second-place Columbus Crew SC at 4.03. (Nashville have played one fewer game than 22 of the 25 other teams in MLS, it should be noted.) 

Still, the moniker of "defense-minded" has been levied derisively against Nashville this season. They have held the second-lowest average possession per game at 43% and have scored the joint-fewest goals in MLS with two, though are underperforming their xG total by 3.26. 

“I heard some comments about defensive play," Smith told reporters on a video conference call on Monday. "I think sometimes you can be misguided in what teams are actually about. There’s a difference between an organized team versus a defense-minded team.”

Smith wants to clear the record. 

“An organized team is a team that has a plan, knows their roles within that plan, and execute as well as they can," Smith explained. "That’s what we did at the weekend. We regained possession in their half numerous times, we got them on the back foot numerous times. We created some really nice opportunities and moments, but we were still able to limit them to few opportunities. That’s a plan, that’s an organized team.

“A defense team is one that really doesn't come out of their half too much," he continued. "They’re not all that keen on exposing themselves, don’t have a lot of ambition, are happy to soak up whatever they can. Honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth with how [we] go about our business.”

Nashville rank 10th in MLS in possession won in the attacking third and are top half in chances created per 90 minutes. 

The club have picked up four points across their first fives MLS matches, four of which have been on the road. All five games have come against Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoff teams. 

Nashville stay on the road for their next game, against Orlando City SC on Wednesday (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).