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What’s gone right: Not much, really, though a recent run of results – most of which have come under interim manager Rumba Munthali following the dismissal of Gary Smith – has pulled the ‘Yotes above the playoff line for the first time all season.
That’s coincided with the return to health of Walker Zimmerman, which obviously makes a huge difference. Since the start of May they’ve conceded just five times in seven games, which is the best mark in the league during that span. They’ve gone 3W-2L-2D.
For what it’s worth the players, following Smith’s dismissal, seemed aligned in advocating for a new, more expansive blueprint. I do think we’ve seen some glimmers of that under Munthali, but it’s too early to say if 1) that portends anything significant, or 2) Munthali’s the guy long-term.
What hasn’t: Hany Mukhtar’s regressed from his three-year run of MVP form. Sam Surridge is a pretty good – 5g on 4.9 npxG in 1043 minutes – but not great No. 9. The wingers aren’t goalscorers. The ball progression through midfield cratered with the exit of Dax McCarty. The center backs lost their way without Zimmerman.
And of course, the young (or youngish) players never developed under Smith. As a result this team has exactly zero contributors under the age of 24 and zero players from South America, which is insane in what has become one of the world’s best developmental leagues.
GM Mike Jacobs obviously deserves a portion of blame for that, but my suspicion is Jacobs was shopping for the ingredients Smith wanted. So it’ll be telling, on that account, to see what happens this summer. Does Jacobs actually bring in young players? Does whoever the coach is actually play them? Do they move the needle in terms of form or results?
Bear in mind, this would all be happening along with the reported (but not yet confirmed) changes to the U-22 Initiative program, should they go through. Nashville have the chance to be a very different team by the end of next month.
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