Soccer is on the rise, and the situation in Nashville is no exception–for both the men and the women’s game.
There’s always plenty of action in Nashville, Tennessee and that includes high-level soccer play, too. The men’s entry in Major League Soccer, the Nashville SC, is enjoying a successful second season. And the women find inspiration with the Nashville Rhythm FC, a women’s amateur club established in 2017. The Rhythm competes in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, which plays May-July.
Rhythm in action,
Rhythm players consist of collegiate athletes from the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels. And they are good! Since its inaugural season, nine former players have taken their careers to the professional level in top leagues in Europe, including Sweden, Spain, England, Finland, Iceland, and Greece. What’s more, three players earned spots playing on national teams in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.
The 2021 season–just finished–turned out well. 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 a home-field advantage in the playoffs. A 4-0 victory against Alabama in the semi-finals set the stage for a finals showdown against the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
The Rhythm jumped out to a quick 1-nil lead, but the team couldn’t maintain the lead largely because of an injury-depleted roster reduced to 11 available players. The roster-rich Red Wolves responded with two first-half goals and then held on to bring the championship banner back to Tennessee.
So it’s goodbye to 2021 with eyes forward to next season. With that in mind, the Rhythm organization is committed to encouraging future female athletes and providing a family-oriented environment at an affordable cost.
Hail, Rhythm!
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