World Cup fever has taken over Nashville, with watch parties stretching from outside Geodis Park to the parking lot of Tailgate Midtown.
When the United States' run eventually comes to an end, there's still plenty of good soccer to watch, with Nashville SC sitting at the top of the MLS table. Unfortunately, their success in MLS didn't translate to World Cup call-ups, with Ahmed Qasem of Iraq the only Boy in Gold representing his country.
Like many Nashvillians, I took a lot of pride in seeing Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore wearing the Stars and Stripes, and I'm excited for the day a Nashville SC player once again reps the USMNT.
In the past, Nashville deployed older domestic players who were on the fringes of the national team picture but still received a call-up or two. This year, however, it's about the young Americans coming through the system who could develop into national team contributors. Here are the names to watch.
Brian Schwake
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 24
Maybe the hottest name in Gold right now is goalkeeper Brian Schwake. In his first season between the sticks for Nashville, he's impressed, leaving the Joe Willis era behind without controversy. Schwake is an excellent shot-stopper, allowing 5.2 fewer goals than expected to start the season, the 4th-best mark in the league. He's also elite at playing out of the back, giving Nashville SC a new dimension compared to previous years.
