Analysis: Which Huntsville City FC players could be next to play for Nashville SC?

In last weekend's 1-0 win away to DC United, Nashville SC manager BJ Callaghan made a historic decision in the 76th minute when he called on 20-year old Alan Carleton as a substitute in place of Jonathan Pérez.

Carleton became the very first player on a contract with Huntsville City FC to appear for Nashville SC in MLS play. Prior to this, only three players – Jordan Knight, Ethan O'Brien and Joey DeZart – had appeared on the field in Gold, with Knight appearing twice in last year's Leagues Cup and O'Brien and DeZart each seeing the field in U.S. Open Cup play.

Alan Carleton on MLS debut: “I’ve been working hard for this”

The 20-year-old Atlanta United academy product became the first Huntsville City player to appear for Nashville SC in an MLS match

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

The door is officially opened to Huntsville players for the very first time. Each player is limited to four appearances in matchday squads, and two appearances on the field before they must be given a first-team contract offer.

This means that there's likely to be a variety of players that could feature, either due to injury or simply as a reward for great form, which is what Carleton earned. So let's go over some of the likely contenders for first-team minutes that are currently on contracts with Huntsville City.

Note, only players currently under contract with Huntsville City FC will be considered, so no homegrowns or academy prospects here.

Ethan O'Brien – Midfielder

First, we should start with the next obvious choice in Ethan O'Brien. O'Brien featured in the matchday squad for Nashville's 0-0 home draw with New England Revolution to open the season, though went unused as a substitute.

The former Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders academy product did, however, play 17 minutes in Nashville's 3-2 U.S. Open Cup victory on the road at Orlando.

With three squad appearances and two on-field appearances remaining to be used, and with 24-year old O'Brien already seemingly on the fringes of the first team, he's a no-brainer to be "next in line" for first-team minutes.

The Irish-American midfielder has thus far logged two goals and one assist in 878 minutes in MLS Next Pro, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Operating as a number eight and a number ten on different occasions, O'Brien is often one of the engines of the Huntsville attack, which has scored an impressive 27 goals in 13 games.

Damien Barker John – Winger

One thing that could complicate things for some players is their international status. Players who occupy an international slot for Huntsville would require one for Nashville as well, and as Nashville currently have zero empty international slots, their options are limited. This is not the case for Damien Barker John, who counts as a domestic player, and thus shuffles him up the depth chart a bit.

Barker John has been incredibly dangerous operating on the opposite side to Christian Koffi, and he's collected one goal and two assists in 593 minutes to show for it.

Barker John is on loan from fellow MLS Next Pro side Real Monarchs, though it seems a foregone conclusion that if he were to perform well enough, he'd be signed on a permanent basis. At just 20, Barker John has plenty of time to continue growing, and if he were to earn some minutes with the first team, it would likely be a signal of the club's intention to lock him in long term.

Kevin Carmichael & Zach Barrett – Centerbacks

I've paired Kevin Carmichael and Zach Barrett here together because both have essentially locked down the starting spots in Huntsville now that Chris Applewhite is playing almost exclusively in Nashville.

I also believe both would be equally deserving if they heard their name called, as both have been very important to Huntsville's rock solid defense, which has the third fewest goals allowed in MLS Next Pro.

There's a bit of a logjam of center back options ahead of both Carmichael and Barrett, but, if a serious injury crisis were to happen, I think both could be relied upon in spots.

Barrett's 991 minutes are second most on the team only behind captain Blake Bowen, and Carmichael's 759 minutes aren't far behind in sixth. Carmichael of course

Christian Koffi – Winger

Now onto the talisman in north Alabama. Christian Koffi would require an international spot to play in MLS fixtures, but, Nashville isn't yet out of non-league competitions to feature international players in.

Not only does Koffi fit the bill, but he featured in the matchday squad for that Open Cup victory in Orlando alongside the aforementioned O'Brien, though Koffi didn't see the field.

Nashville, of course has a U.S. Open Cup date with DC United on July 9th, it wouldn't be outlandish to see manager B.J. Callaghan give minutes to someone like a Christian Koffi if the Boys in Gold find themselves in control of that game. With seven goals in 11 matches, the Frenchman is just four goals off the MLS NEXT Pro lead and has been a standout for the Rocket Men.

Gunnar Studenhofft – Striker

Another international player that would require non-league minutes, Gunnar Studenhofft actually doesn't appear as far off the first team as you might think. His four goals in 483 MLS Next Pro minutes see only Carleton and Koffi on the Huntsville roster with as many or more, and he offers something to the first team that could be valuable. Nashville also have acquired his MLS rights from Colorado, although they'd be required to pay a small amount of GAM to the Rapids were he ever to feature for the first team.

Nashville SC acquire MLS rights to Gunnar Studenhofft from Colorado Rapids

Nashville SC trade a 2027 second-round SuperDraft pick and up to $250k in General Allocation Money for the exclusive right to sign the Cayman Islands international

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

When Nashville SC plays without Sam Surridge at the number nine spot, their approach shifts dramatically. Surridge has gotten on the end of many a long ball from the fullbacks or the midfield, and has scored many a goal from that position as well.

When Teal Bunbury is up top, less of those passes are attempted, with Bunbury's excellent hold up play being the focal point to draw numbers in and open gaps for others.

Studenhofft, a full Cayman Islands international, has world class pace and strength (sometimes too much), which would allow Nashville to continue to make long balls over the top one of the focal points in the attack, or at least more so than they do with Bunbury up front.

Moises Véliz – Midfielder

One final international, Moises Véliz has really, really impressed in recent weeks. He took some time to get into the swing of things, spending time in and out of the starting lineup early on, but lately, he's locked a spot down all for his own.

The 20-year old Panamanian central midfielder has often been tasked in recent weeks with covering spaces left behind as his midfield partner Phillip Mayaka drops back to invite an inverted fullback. We go in depth about what this does for Huntsville here, but all you need to know is it places increased responsibility on Véliz between the defensive and midfield lines.

He has shone in this role, and become a key connective piece between Huntsville's stingy defense and electric attack. Again, a player that could only be used in the U.S. Open Cup, but could be a contributor in the future.

Jordan Knight – Fullback

We finish our list with Jordan Knight, who made two appearances in Leagues Cup last year in BJ Callaghan's first two games in charge. Knight, however, has been in and out of the lineup with injury, and has played just 187 minutes in MLS Next Pro this season, though he does have an impressive two goals to his name in that time.

The 23-year old Canadian does have the versatility to play on both the wing and at fullback, and so could fill a number of roles for Nashville. But, again, we're either talking U.S. Open Cup minutes or the freeing of an international spot.

Huntsville has done a great job finding international talent to fill their roster, but it does come with drawbacks like this.