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USWNT players like idea of NWSL team in Nashville: 'A really cool place to play'
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- USWNT players like idea of NWSL team in Nashville: 'A really cool place to play'
The last time the United States women's national soccer team came to Nashville , USWNT stars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan praised the city as a strong candidate for a National Women's Soccer League team.
At the time, 20 months ago, the situation was merely a hypothetical. But as of the USWNT 's 3-1 win over Iceland in Sunday's international friendly at Geodis Park, it's a legitimate possibility.
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HerGame Nashville LLC, led by sports agent Lonnie Murray, went public last week with its bid to bring an NWSL expansion team to Nashville. The bid has the support of Nashville SC owner John Ingram and Nashville mayor Freddie O'Connell, and current USWNT players are also warm to the idea of Nashville becoming the league's 16th franchise.
"I think Nashville is a great city," said forward Emma Sears, who plays for Racing Louisville. "I've never experienced this massive amount of people in stadiums and playing for crowds like this. The energy is unmatched, and it's amazing and super cool to see the support surrounding the team."
The NWSL currently has 14 teams and will expand to 16 in 2026 with the addition of BOS Nation FC and another expansion team that has yet to be awarded. Nashville is one of five reported finalists for that franchise, along with Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver and Philadelphia . The league is expected to announce the winning bid before the end of the year.
Against Iceland, 17,018 fans watched the U.S. rally from a 1-0 deficit to remain unbeaten under coach Emma Hayes, as Lynn Williams , Lindsey Horan and Sears scored in the second half.
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"I obviously know Nashville a little bit," said forward Mallory Swanson , who plays for the Chicago Red Stars, and is married to former Vanderbilt baseball star Dansby Swanson. "I think that every time we play here, it's been a great crowd. They support women's soccer, which is super important. I've heard that men's games are are very exciting too. So I think that there's definitely buzz around. Talk to some players, and everyone loves Nashville, it's a fun city to be in. I'd be interested to see what happens."
MORE: Nashville group seeks to land NWSL expansion team
Sunday's game was the USWNT's sixth in Nashville and second at Geodis Park. The USWNT beat Japan 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup on Feb. 19, 2023 in front of a crowd of 24,471. The U.S. men's national team has played seven games in Nashville and once at Geodis, a 4-0 win over Ghana on Oct. 17, 2023.
"This is the second time (we've played here)," said Williams, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC and is the third-highest goalscorer in NWSL history. "Both times, the crowds have been awesome. I think Nashville wants a team. I know a lot of the girls have family from here or ties here, and I think it would be a really cool place to play."
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Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: USWNT players open to NWSL team in Nashville and Geodis Park
