As Nashville continues to boom, it is attracting some of the best sporting events in the world. On Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Soccer Federation and Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación announced that Nissan Stadium in Nashville would play host to a U.S. vs. Mexico men’s soccer friendly, presented by AT&T, on September 11. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT and will air live on ESPN, UniMas and UDN.

The matchup will take place in the first FIFA international window after the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It’s the first time the legendary rivalry will make a stop in Nashville, and Nashville SC fans will be able to win tickets before they are available to be purchased by following @NashvilleSC on social media.

Nashville SC Season Ticket Members will have a presale opportunity before tickets to the U.S./Mexico match go on sale to the general public. There are fewer than 50 Nashville SC Season Ticket Memberships remaining so fans will need to act fast to receive the presale opportunity.

The rivalry is the second soccer game to be announced at Nissan Stadium this month. Last week, CONCACAF announced that Nissan Stadium would be one of the venues for the 2019 Gold Cup. Which round of the tournament will be at Nissan remains to be seen, but Nashville SC fans and Season Ticket Members will get the same perks for both the Gold Cup and U.S./Mexico friendly.

To purchase Nashville SC season tickets, visit NashvilleSC.com/seasontickets or call a ticket representative at (615) 457-8200.

Fans should consider purchasing a U.S. Soccer Membership (only $55 for a one-year term at membership.ussoccer.com). New Members who join by June 14, 2018 (Flag Day in the USA) will have the opportunity to buy tickets for USA vs. Mexico before those on U.S. Soccer’s social media channels, plus receive other benefits, like a Member-exclusive scarf and a ten-percent discount on purchases at store.ussoccer.com.

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Tuesday the promotions of Jeff Kealty to Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting; Brian Poile to Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations; and Scott Nichol to General Manager of the Milwaukee Admirals and Director of Player Development. The moves come after former Predators Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton was hired as General Manager of the Minnesota Wild.

“We’d like to thank Paul for his 20-plus years of contributions to our franchise. He has an incredible scouting eye and played a major role in our organization’s success of building and developing young, homegrown talent,” said David Poile. “At the same time, we are excited to have these three individuals move into expanded roles within our department and to be able to promote from within our organization.”

“Paul leaves behind an incredible legacy within our organization, and we couldn’t be more thankful to him or more excited for him on his next voyage,” said Predators President/CEO Sean Henry. “I’m also very excited for Jeff Kealty, Brian Poile and Scott Nichol on their promotions, new roles and added responsibilities. By promoting from within, it really pays the ultimate compliment to what David Poile has constructed in Smashville.”

Kealty, who recently completed his 17th season with the Predators organization, will oversee Nashville’s professional and amateur scouting efforts. Before being promoted to Director of Player Personnel on Dec. 1, 2017, Kealty spent 11 seasons as Nashville’s Chief Amateur Scout and oversaw the team’s last 10 NHL Drafts. Since 2007, Kealty has selected 42 forwards, 25 defensemen and 10 goalies, and his scouting played an integral role in the acquisitions of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Calle Jarnkrok and Ryan Hartman. With his experience in amateur scouting all over the world and development of prospects within the Predators system, 13 players who were drafted by the Predators during his tenure are on the team’s current roster, including Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Viktor Arvidsson, Kevin Fiala, Colton Sissons, Craig Smith, Austin Watson and Juuse Saros. Players drafted under Kealty’s watch combined for 339 points (136g-203a) during the 2017-18 regular season, helping Nashville win the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time. Prior to joining the Predators organization as an amateur scout in 2001, Kealty signed with Nashville as a free agent in 1998 and played one professional season with the Admirals in 1998-99.

In his expanded role, Brian Poile will manage the research, negotiation and handling of player contracts, fiscal strategic planning, arbitration, oversight of minor league operations in Milwaukee and at the ECHL level and the hockey operations budget. Poile, who recently completed his eighth season with the team, will also act as the liaison between hockey operations and the organization’s business departments, hockey facilities and Bridgestone Arena ventures. He will continue to carry out his responsibilities as the team’s Director of Hockey Operations, which include managing the payroll, salary cap, the team’s analytics department, the training, medical and equipment staffs and the department’s day-to-day business operations.

Nichol will manage the Predators’ primary development affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, in addition to his current role as Director of Player Development. He will work closely with Assistant Director of Player Development Wade Redden in following, evaluating and assisting prospects drafted by Nashville. During Nichol’s five seasons of guidance in his player development role in Milwaukee, he has helped players such as Filip Forsberg, Kevin Fiala, Viktor Arvidsson, Colton Sissons, Austin Watson, Miikka Salomaki and Anthony Bitetto secure full-time spots in the NHL and lead the team to the playoffs in each of their last four campaigns. Nichol will move to Nashville for the position and will also be available as a resource to Predators players and coaches at the NHL level. During his 20-season professional career, Nichol recorded 127 points (56g-71a) in 662 NHL games, including 47 points (24g-23a) in 209 contests with the Predators from 2005-09.

The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored three late runs to complete a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Nashville Sounds in front of a sellout crowd of 10,383 fans at First Tennessee Park Sunday night.

Trailing 1-0, Oklahoma City came up with five consecutive two-out hits in the sixth. Nashville starter Kyle Friedrichs set down Rocky Gale and Tim Locastro to start the inning before Breyvic Valera and Edwin Rios singled to put a pair of runners on base.

Friedrichs, making his Triple-A debut, was relieved by Raul Alcantara who gave up three consecutive singles that resulted in three runs. Kyle Farmer, Kyle Garlick and Matt Beaty came up with hits to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.

Melvin Mercedes sparked a comeback attempt for Nashville. With one out in the seventh, Mercedes tripled to the gap in right-center and was brought in on Jorge Mateo’s RBI groundout to make it a 3-2 game.

It wasn’t enough as former Sounds pitcher Pat Venditte struck out the side in the eighth before handing it over to Brian Schlitter who worked a 1-2-3 ninth to notch is ninth save of the season.

Sounds outfielder Nick Martini singled in the second inning to extend his on-base streak to 37 consecutive games. It’s the longest streak by a Nashville Sounds player in the Pacific Coast League era (1998-Present).

Game four of the five-game series is scheduled for Monday afternoon at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-2, 6.35) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-0, 2.88) for the Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 3-2 loss, the Sounds dropped to 25-24 on the season.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 37 games when he singled in the second inning. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville Sounds player in the Pacific Coast League era. It’s the longest active streak in the Pacific Coast League. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game he has played in.
• Nashville pitcher Kyle Friedrichs made his Triple-A debut tonight. His final line tonight: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Friedrichs took the loss and threw 84 pitches, 54 strikes.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41^st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Rebecca Koger, CHS athletic director[Photo used with permission]

CHS principal Joey Vaughn told Thunder Radio on Friday that Koger was selected upon the recommendation of a search committee.  “Mrs. Koger has 3 years experience (in the administration of CHS athletics) and she is a good fit for the job” said Vaughn.  He went on to say “she has incredible organizational skills and is very familiar with the fiances and TSSAA regulations.  Rebecca is committed to our athletes and giving the support to our coaches to support all our athletic programs.”

Koger said she was excited for the opportunity.  Koger stated “Our athletic program is on a good footing. My goal is to maintain the success of our athletic programs.  I appreciate the job that Coach Sulkowski has doen and the help he has given me.”  Koger is former CHS student, athlete and head coach.

Koger inherits an athletic program that saw 4 different sports teams advance athletes to state tournaments.  Koger will help oversee the replacement of head coaches for the swim and tennis programs following the retirement of the coaches for those programs.  Koger expects that the positions will be filled within the next few weeks.