Club and Country

After we recap Nashville SC's scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake, we welcome FOX commentator and U.S. soccer icon Alexi Lalas for a chat about Nashville's growth in year two, American soccer's global growth journey and how to strike a balance between ambition and authenticity. 3:30 -- EARLY SHOUT Analyzing Nashville SC's form after five matches Two club records in a goalless match? What does it mean to be undefeated at this early juncture? 16:50 -- INTERVIEW WITH ALEXI LALAS Thoughts on his first MLS experience in Nashville How does he feel about club-driven matchday rituals? How can American soccer be authentic to its unique identity but still globally oriented? Why does he think Miami's expansion model is better for the growth of MLS than Nashville's approach? Breaking down NSC v. Austin 39:05 -- EMBRACE CONSENSUS Can Nashville SC adopt a conservative road approach for the bulk of the season and still enjoy the success it wants to achieve? 42:51 -- MAILBAG Has Jhonder Cadiz done enough at this point to justify a purchase at the end of his loan deal? Who is the best striker to play above Hany Mukhtar? What is Nashville SC's long-term personnel plan in central midfield? What is the thinnest position in MLS? 51:41 -- OUTSIDE N New stadium, same FC Cincinnati A Nashville SC connection to the FA Cup titleholders 54:00 -- FINAL WHISTLE Content recommendations Bold predictions for NSC-Austin

An interview-packed, insight-filled episode featuring a candid chat with recent Nashville SC goal-scorer CJ Sapong, plus a meaty preview of Nashville-RSL with Real Salt Lake alum and broadcast Brian Dunseth. 4:00 -- EARLY SHOUT On a scale of 1 to 10, how important was Nashville's win over New England? Gold nuggets: A formation shift, more front-foot soccer and a chance for Nashville to reverse Eastern Conference futility against the West 12:49 -- SITTING DOWN WITH CJ SAPONG How has the intense competition up top impacted the club's attacking productivity? What did the club learn about itself during the recent homestand? How can prominent athletes maintain their sense of identity amidst mixed messages and high expectations? How has CJ uncovered his own identity and used it to provide leadership on and off the pitch? 27:50 -- PREVIEWING THE RSL MATCH WITH BRIAN DUNSETH The club legend breaks down Real Salt Lake's strength and challenges What does he make of David Ochoa's brazen gamesmanship? What would be his game plan for RSL against Nashville? 46:13 -- EMBRACE CONSENSUS Should Nashville stick with the 4-4-2 formation or revert to its typical shape? 48:56 -- MAILBAG Handicapping the rest of the Eastern Conference Ideal pairing at the top of a 4-4-2 if everyone is healthy? Does the early attacking success point to a sustained run of form ahead? When will Gary Smith start rotating to preserve veteran starters? 54:10 -- OUTSIDE N Our thoughts on the Columbus Crew rebrand: when authenticity and American-ness are cast as false antonyms 57:07 -- FINAL WHISTLE MLS fantasy update Content recommendations Bold predictions for Nashville SC - RSL

What can we take away from three consecutive draws to start Nashville SC's season? Wes and Tim dive in and take your thoughts in an extended mailbag episode. 3:03 -- Early Shout Nashville's defense is back -- what did we learn from the club's first clean sheet of the season? Should Walker Zimmerman have been sent off by the referee? The pendulum swings away from the attack -- what do the underlying metrics tell us? Dom Badji and Rodrigo Pineiro make their debuts...what did we notice? Gold Nuggets: Love for Lovitz, great expectations in front of goal, the Leal deal 21:12 -- Embrace Consensus How should NSC fans feel after dropping points three times to start the season? 25:14 -- Extended Mailbag Who would play MLS's protagonist in a soccer version of Space Jam? Was the Miami match ultimately encouraging or disappointing? How do Gary Smith and Mike Jacobs identify and motivate players who feel disrespected at their previous clubs? Is midfield depth on the way in the form of an eventual replacement for McCarty or Godoy? Which EPL club most directly resembles NSC? (and other comparisons) 45:09 -- Outside N No U.S. Open Cup for Nashville SC...if it happens at all How should MLS define success in CONCACAF Champions League? 49:25 -- Final Whistle Wes gloats about topping the table in the Club and Country Football League Content recommendations Bold predictions for Nashville's showdown with New England Revolution

Can Nashville SC overcome its early-match woes after a pair of action-packed draws to start the season? We discuss the club's highs and lows against Montreal, then catch up with NSC radio voice John Freeman about memorable moments in his broadcast tenure at the club. 3:26 -- Early Shout Are the slow starts a sign of a fatal flaw...or just bad luck? Gold nuggets: Stats that explain why Nashville SC is the best attacking club in the league after two weeks 11:08 -- Embrace Consensus Would you rather have thrilling draws or 1-0 results? 15:54 -- A Conversation with NSC Radio Voice John Freeman How did Ben Olsen, Claudio Reyna and Bruce Arena help instill his love of soccer? What is his approach to match day? Which NSC moment does he consider his most memorable? How does MLS serve as a growth conduit for American soccer broadcast voices? 37:35 -- Outside N Implications of the U.S. Open Cup's indefinite delay 41:41 -- Mailbag With European football in flames, is this the perfect time for MLS to open its roster rules? Where does Daniel Rios fit into the striker battle? Love for Dave Romney and growth potential for Luke Haakenson 52:29 -- Final Whistle Why one podcast host thinks Gary Smith is a better coach than Bob Bradley Rate, review, subscribe and tell a friend! You can find us on Twitter: @ClubCountryUSA and @TNsWesBoling

Tim and Wes break down Nashville SC's opening match and preview action against the artist formerly known as the Montreal Impact. 4:14 -- EARLY SHOUT Things you might not know about Nashville SC's draw with Cincy, including club records on both sides of the pitch, comments from Gary Smith and why NSC fans shouldn't be TOO worried about conceding two goals to FCC 10:30 -- EMBRACE CONSENSUS The hosts debate whether NSC fans should be encouraged or disappointed by Saturday's result 15:16 -- PREVIEWING MONTREAL WITH A SPECIAL GUEST Kevin Laramee, President of North American Sports Reporters and a Montreal beat reporter, stops by to get us up to speed on CF Montreal 35:49 -- OUTSIDE N Could Chicharito be returning to form? How did Carlos Vela accidentally get pulled from LAFC's match with Austin? 39:42 -- MAILBAG Should Nashville SC expect more consistency from Hany Mukhtar? Is CJ Sapong a candidate to take over the starting striker role? Muyl or Bwana on the right wing? 45:31 -- FINAL WHISTLE A Netflix viewing treat for anyone who wants to escape the Super League Rate, review and subscribe!

Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs joins Tim and Wes for an extended conversation about how he built the roster for year two of MLS, his aspirations for the club, and moneyball philosophy. EARLY SHOUT 2:29 -- Hear from Gary Smith and Ian Ayre about the gaffer's contract extension -- did he deserve it? (spoiler...yes, he did) 8:40 -- Nashville trades for right back Dylan Nealis -- what does 2020's No. 3 draft pick bring to the club? 10:44 -- Another week, another friendly cancelled. What's the impact? 13:08 -- FC Cincinnati: Not a beacon of prestige, but will they challenge the Boys in Gold? GUEST: MIKE JACOBS 15:23 -- Recapping Nashville SC's offseason with the man who built the roster 18:16 -- How people take "moneyball" out of context, and what the concept really means to NSC 21:26 -- What Shane Battier and the Miami Heat have to do with Nashville's highest-profile offseason acquisition 25:37 -- How does it feel to be on the doorstep of a major trade? 26:37 -- How Mike's history as a coach shapes his front office approach 29:01 -- How does Nashville SC define success in 2021? 33:34 -- Did last year's success raise the bar for the club's potential this season? 35:19 -- What is the club doing to prepare for the impacts of a busy international season? A GLANCE AT PERSONNEL 38:50 -- Naming our Starting XIs for the Cincinnati match OUTSIDE N 42:57 -- Is THIS the year an MLS team wins CCL? 45:35 -- Boys in Not Gold FINAL WHISTLE 48:50 -- Content recommendations, from soccer analytics to Italian ultras RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE! See you every Tuesday!

We set the stage for the upcoming season by answering your questions and assessing Nashville SC's expectations in year two. Good content is coming your way faster than Tucker Hume can flap his wings! 3:25 - Early Shout: Recapping Nashville's second preseason friendly and asking whether the cancelled MLS preseason matches will have a detrimental effect 12:28 - Should Nashville SC go all in on the U.S. Open Cup for its best chance to win silverware in year two? 19:30 - Our first-ever guest...you!! Answering your mailbag questions, including assigning senior superlatives to Nashville SC players 41:44 -- In "Outside N," we break down CONCACAF Champions League odds and mourn the U.S. Men's National Team's failure to qualify for the Olympics 46:30 -- Our first curse word...taken way too literally

Club & Country comes to life on the 440 Sports Network. Nashville SC radio commentator Wes Boling and ClubCountryUSA.com Tim Sullivan will talk Nashville SC soccer. Today, we introduce ourselves Explain our love of the game Discuss why our access and expertise set us apart, and Cover ONE thing we are looking forward to this season For in-depth NSC analysis, visit ClubCountryUSA.com!

Braden Gall of 440Sports has some exciting news for soccer fans in Nashville. COMING SOON!