Ben Wright
@benwright.bsky.social
⚽️ @sixonefivesoccer.com
📝 @backheeled.com, @SoccerAmerica.bsky.social & http://MLSSoccer.com
🏅 Nashville Scene's Best Sports Writer of 2024 & 2025
✟ Christ follower
#ITFC fan 💙🚜
https://linktr.ee/benwri
📝 @backheeled.com, @SoccerAmerica.bsky.social & http://MLSSoccer.com
🏅 Nashville Scene's Best Sports Writer of 2024 & 2025
✟ Christ follower
#ITFC fan 💙🚜
https://linktr.ee/benwri
This might be controversial, but I'm pretty sure Lionel Messi and Maxi Moralez are the two best 38-year-old Argentine No. 10s in MLS right now.
November 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
This might be controversial, but I'm pretty sure Lionel Messi and Maxi Moralez are the two best 38-year-old Argentine No. 10s in MLS right now.
Everyone's talking about Inter Miami's attack, and rightfully so. But in four playoff games so far, they're allowing 1.01 xG against per game and just 0.75 goals against. Both would have been good for by far the best defense in the MLS regular season.
Incredible job by Javier Mascherano.
Incredible job by Javier Mascherano.
November 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Everyone's talking about Inter Miami's attack, and rightfully so. But in four playoff games so far, they're allowing 1.01 xG against per game and just 0.75 goals against. Both would have been good for by far the best defense in the MLS regular season.
Incredible job by Javier Mascherano.
Incredible job by Javier Mascherano.
🚨 GOALKEEPER ASSIST IN THE MLS PLAYOFFS!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
November 23, 2025 at 3:24 AM
🚨 GOALKEEPER ASSIST IN THE MLS PLAYOFFS!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
Players from FC Tulsa and Pittsburgh Riverhounds walk onto the field for the USL Championship final wearing shirts saying “USL HQ: Pro Rel? Try pro standards first.”
USL HQ has announced a new first-division league including promotion & relegation in 2028.
USL HQ has announced a new first-division league including promotion & relegation in 2028.
November 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Players from FC Tulsa and Pittsburgh Riverhounds walk onto the field for the USL Championship final wearing shirts saying “USL HQ: Pro Rel? Try pro standards first.”
USL HQ has announced a new first-division league including promotion & relegation in 2028.
USL HQ has announced a new first-division league including promotion & relegation in 2028.
If you include the World Cup break in the 2026 MLS schedule, 84% of the full capacity match-weeks line up with the new summer-to-spring calendar they'll start using in 2027.
It's essentially the same schedule already.
It's essentially the same schedule already.
November 20, 2025 at 10:28 PM
If you include the World Cup break in the 2026 MLS schedule, 84% of the full capacity match-weeks line up with the new summer-to-spring calendar they'll start using in 2027.
It's essentially the same schedule already.
It's essentially the same schedule already.
This stretch at the end of the summer – Miami, Red Bulls, Columbus, Cincinnati, and NYCFC, all in the span of 20 days – is going to be season-defining.
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
This stretch at the end of the summer – Miami, Red Bulls, Columbus, Cincinnati, and NYCFC, all in the span of 20 days – is going to be season-defining.
The 2026 MLS schedule is officially out. For the second consecutive year, Nashville SC will open their season at Geodis Park against the New England Revolution.
November 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The 2026 MLS schedule is officially out. For the second consecutive year, Nashville SC will open their season at Geodis Park against the New England Revolution.
Curaçao 🇨🇼 are the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup, with a population of 155,826. For comparison, here are some larger U.S. cities:
• Murfreesboro, TN
• Killeen, TX
• Surprise, AZ
• Shreveport, LA
• Sioux Falls, SD
• Des Moines, IA
Simply incredible!
• Murfreesboro, TN
• Killeen, TX
• Surprise, AZ
• Shreveport, LA
• Sioux Falls, SD
• Des Moines, IA
Simply incredible!
November 19, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Curaçao 🇨🇼 are the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup, with a population of 155,826. For comparison, here are some larger U.S. cities:
• Murfreesboro, TN
• Killeen, TX
• Surprise, AZ
• Shreveport, LA
• Sioux Falls, SD
• Des Moines, IA
Simply incredible!
• Murfreesboro, TN
• Killeen, TX
• Surprise, AZ
• Shreveport, LA
• Sioux Falls, SD
• Des Moines, IA
Simply incredible!
Here's a quick overview of where the roster stands. Obvious needs in midfield and fullback, but they also badly need more goal threats in attack.
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Here's a quick overview of where the roster stands. Obvious needs in midfield and fullback, but they also badly need more goal threats in attack.
Nashville SC turned over a ton of their roster, clearing up plenty of cap space to make some major additions this winter. It's going to be an incredibly busy offseason for the 'Yotes, and I broke down their biggest needs with CCC less than 80 days away.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/analysis-nas...
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/analysis-nas...
November 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Nashville SC turned over a ton of their roster, clearing up plenty of cap space to make some major additions this winter. It's going to be an incredibly busy offseason for the 'Yotes, and I broke down their biggest needs with CCC less than 80 days away.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/analysis-nas...
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/analysis-nas...
This graphic (not mine) also does a really good job showing how much MLS is impacted by extreme heat, relative to other leagues.
I'm concerned about impact on in-person attendance like many people. But I also think that playing in 35º will result in better matches than playing in 95º.
I'm concerned about impact on in-person attendance like many people. But I also think that playing in 35º will result in better matches than playing in 95º.
November 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This graphic (not mine) also does a really good job showing how much MLS is impacted by extreme heat, relative to other leagues.
I'm concerned about impact on in-person attendance like many people. But I also think that playing in 35º will result in better matches than playing in 95º.
I'm concerned about impact on in-person attendance like many people. But I also think that playing in 35º will result in better matches than playing in 95º.
100%. The league mentioned that in the announcement. Cold weather teams will have home-heavier schedules at the start and end of the season.
November 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
100%. The league mentioned that in the announcement. Cold weather teams will have home-heavier schedules at the start and end of the season.
Here's a quick look at how the current MLS spring-to-fall calendar and the new summer-to-spring calendars will line up.
Final schedule tbd, but estimating ~75% of full capacity match weeks (where all 34 teams play) will overlap.
Final schedule tbd, but estimating ~75% of full capacity match weeks (where all 34 teams play) will overlap.
November 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Here's a quick look at how the current MLS spring-to-fall calendar and the new summer-to-spring calendars will line up.
Final schedule tbd, but estimating ~75% of full capacity match weeks (where all 34 teams play) will overlap.
Final schedule tbd, but estimating ~75% of full capacity match weeks (where all 34 teams play) will overlap.
Fan opinion on this is decidedly mixed.
(I think it's a good move)
(I think it's a good move)
November 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Fan opinion on this is decidedly mixed.
(I think it's a good move)
(I think it's a good move)
Can confirm @tombogert.bsky.social’s report that Walker Zimmerman will leave Nashville SC.
CSO Mike Jacobs: “Walker will be forever tied to the history of our club… He leaves here in very good standing and with a very good relationship with our players and staff.”
📸 @mikemeredith.bsky.social
CSO Mike Jacobs: “Walker will be forever tied to the history of our club… He leaves here in very good standing and with a very good relationship with our players and staff.”
📸 @mikemeredith.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Can confirm @tombogert.bsky.social’s report that Walker Zimmerman will leave Nashville SC.
CSO Mike Jacobs: “Walker will be forever tied to the history of our club… He leaves here in very good standing and with a very good relationship with our players and staff.”
📸 @mikemeredith.bsky.social
CSO Mike Jacobs: “Walker will be forever tied to the history of our club… He leaves here in very good standing and with a very good relationship with our players and staff.”
📸 @mikemeredith.bsky.social
Only Miami (29.6 yrs) had an older average age on the field than Nashville's 29.5. NSC certainly did better at playing young players this season, but they have to continue to get younger this winter, especially with Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup back on the schedule.
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Only Miami (29.6 yrs) had an older average age on the field than Nashville's 29.5. NSC certainly did better at playing young players this season, but they have to continue to get younger this winter, especially with Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup back on the schedule.
A main priority for Nashville is addressing their mid-season dips. They're always worse in the 2nd half of the season.
2020: 1.25 ppg → 1.55
2021: 1.65 → 1.53
2022: 1.53 → 1.35
2023: 1.88 → 1.00
2024: 1.18 → 0.94
2025: 1.71 → 1.47
2020: 1.25 ppg → 1.55
2021: 1.65 → 1.53
2022: 1.53 → 1.35
2023: 1.88 → 1.00
2024: 1.18 → 0.94
2025: 1.71 → 1.47
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A main priority for Nashville is addressing their mid-season dips. They're always worse in the 2nd half of the season.
2020: 1.25 ppg → 1.55
2021: 1.65 → 1.53
2022: 1.53 → 1.35
2023: 1.88 → 1.00
2024: 1.18 → 0.94
2025: 1.71 → 1.47
2020: 1.25 ppg → 1.55
2021: 1.65 → 1.53
2022: 1.53 → 1.35
2023: 1.88 → 1.00
2024: 1.18 → 0.94
2025: 1.71 → 1.47
The Canadian Premier League final is #footballheritage 🇨🇦
November 9, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The Canadian Premier League final is #footballheritage 🇨🇦
Nashville's 2025 season officially ends. First trophy in club history and a bevy of positives, but a painful way to end things.
Ahead of schedule in a multi-window rebuild, and expecting significant roster changes this winter. Excited to see what this team looks like in 2026!
Ahead of schedule in a multi-window rebuild, and expecting significant roster changes this winter. Excited to see what this team looks like in 2026!
November 9, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Nashville's 2025 season officially ends. First trophy in club history and a bevy of positives, but a painful way to end things.
Ahead of schedule in a multi-window rebuild, and expecting significant roster changes this winter. Excited to see what this team looks like in 2026!
Ahead of schedule in a multi-window rebuild, and expecting significant roster changes this winter. Excited to see what this team looks like in 2026!
Congrats to Andrew Thomas for keeping a clean sheet in regulation.
November 8, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Congrats to Andrew Thomas for keeping a clean sheet in regulation.
my brother this has been an automatic red card for a good five years
November 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
my brother this has been an automatic red card for a good five years