Nashville SC are set to receive a much-needed boost to their squad, with winger Tyler Boyd close to returning from injury.
The 30-year-old suffered a devastating ACL tear last season, going down with just one match to go before head coach BJ Callaghan took charge. After nearly 13 months on the sideline, the US international's return gives Nashville a different option on the wings.
Nashville don't have the budget space for a significant roster addition this summer, but Boyd's return could help bolster the tertiary scoring the Coyotes have so badly needed.
One quick note: In Callaghan's 4-2-2-2 system, Nashville don't play with "wingers" in the traditional sense. In fact, those players often act as more forward-thinking box-to-box midfielders. For clarity's sake, I'm using the term "advanced midfielders" to refer to this position group.
The numbers
Sam Surridge has 20 goals in all competitions. Hany Mukhtar has 12. No other Nashville SC player has more than three (Josh Bauer and Ahmed Qasem). For as much good as Nashville have done this season, that's a pretty damning indictment of the rest of their attack.
Enter Tyler Boyd. The winger has been significantly more goal-dangerous than any of Nashville's other advanced midfielders. Since coming to MLS in 2023, Boyd has averaged 0.38 goal contributions per 96 minutes played, and 0.23 goals per 96 - ie, he scores around a goal every four games.
