Nashville Soccer Fans To Celebrate In The Streets As MLS Makes Announcement

Soccer supporters are rejoicing at word that the commissioner of Major League Soccer is coming to town to make what’s described as a “significant announcement” about the future of the sport in Nashville.

Local fans are taking this as a clear sign that the city will be been awarded a top-level professional expansion team — and they’re already gushing.

“It’s been a really hectic morning. My phone has been exploding … and it’s like, wow, this is kind of surreal,” said Newton Dominey, head of The Roadies, the local fan group for Nashville Soccer Club.

“I’m equally happy for Nashville SC and for my friends who work there, and also for the city. I think it confirms things that I’ve believed about the market for a long time … that it’s an international city, that it’s a diverse city, that it’s a smart city — all of that shows up in what I think MLS sees.”

While the franchise is not confirmed, the announcement Wednesday at the Country Music Hall of Fame promises “a significant announcement about the future of soccer in Nashville” and will include MLS Commissioner Don Garber, ownership group leader John Ingram, Mayor Megan Barry and Gov. Bill Haslam.

That leaves a close observer like Jonathan Slape, with little doubt the city is about to be awarded a top-level franchise.

“I’m super excited, but also in shock,” said Slape, Nashville chapter president of the American Outlaws, which supports U.S. national soccer teams. “If you’d have asked me in April if I thought … we’d be sitting here announcing an MLS team, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Nashville’s early hopes were not promising. But strong additions to the ownership group, along with a quickly-approved stadium plan, made the city one of four finalists.
Analysts gave Nashville a good chance of landing a franchise.

The formal announcement is scheduled for 4 p.m. Local soccer supporters say they’ll gather by 3:30 at Walk of Fame Park with drums, flags and their
established chants.

“We basically march for everything … we marched to the city council meeting … we’re going to be there chanting and cheering and singing,” said Lacey Hartigan, with The Roadies.

“Basic, friendly hell-raising,” Dominey calls it. “We’re trying to set a tone for new fans, to make sure people do feel welcome, and that it’s OK to ask questions. We’re just getting ready for a bunch of new fans.”