PREVIEW: NASHVILLE RHYTHM F.C., AHFC Royals

Written By:  Thomas Costello

In last season’s WPSL playoffs, Nashville Rhythm F.C. was one match away from the WPSL Championship Final. The Rhythm ran into the California Storm and battled to a 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions. Now, in 2023, Nashville faces a familiar foe to try and replicate its 2022 success – AHFC Royals.

In the 2022 WPSL Playoffs, the Rhythm and Royals met in the regional finals after each sending regional semifinal opponents home in high-scoring affairs. When the two conference champions met in the regional final, Nashville did what few teams could do – holding AHFC off the scoreboard in a 2-0 victory.

Nashville forced a fifth-minute turnover that midfielder Yuki Watari slotted home for the match-winning goal. Then, after 90 minutes of a strategic chess match between the sides, Nashville caught the Royals too far forward in second-half stoppage for the goal that iced the side’s spot in the WPSL Championship semifinals.

This year, Watari and the Rhythm are back, with the midfielder leading Nashville with 11 goals and three assists; the fifth-highest goal scorer in the WPSL. Not only does Watari score in bunches, having three multi-goal games, but the midfielder scores important goals.

So far this season, Watari has scored the match-tying or match-winning goal in seven contests for the Rhythm, including the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over fellow WPSL powerhouse, the Charlotte Eagles.

The firepower isn’t all with Nashville though. AHFC and the Rhythm are both undefeated sides that can replicate last year’s close matchup.

AHFC averages 2.7 goals per match this season, including resounding 4-0, 5-0 and 7-2 victories on its way to a third conference title in three seasons. It’s also the diversity of goal scoring that stands out for the Houston-based side.

Albion’s goal scoring isn’t lumped into one player as 14 different athletes on its roster found the back of the net in 2023 – five scoring multiple goals. Leading Albion is second year AHFC Royal forward Adelhia Ghonda. Following a season where the Oklahoma State freshman scored twice for the Royals, Ghonda tripled her output in 2023 – scoring six goals and adding an assist.

Should the Royals withstand an anticipated Rhythm press, and keep Nashville off the scoreboard early, AHFC has the roster and ability to get back to the regional finals and have its turn at sending the Rhythm home early. Although Nashville has an advantage.

Saturday’s match takes place in Nashville, at Father Ryan High School’s Giacosa Stadium. In contrast, AHFC has a 12-hour drive to contend with. Will that result in tired legs for the visitors, or can the Royals knock off the road rust with a knockout round match lying ahead of them?

The action starts at 10:00 a.m. CST, followed by a second regional semifinal match between Football Club Prime and the Charlotte Eagles. Both matches will stream live on Elevens Sports.