Dax McCarty: “I’ve just tried to be myself”

We’re nearing the end of an era in Major League Soccer. Midfielder Dax McCarty announced that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season after a legendary 18-year career. McCarty, who played an integral role for multiple MLS clubs, was the first Nashville SC captain in their MLS era.

Despite numerous accolades throughout his career – Best XI in 2015, All Star in 2015 and 2017, Supporters’ Shield winner in 2013 and 2015 – McCarty is still as humble as he was on draft day. In an exclusive conversation with Broadway Sports Media, he reflected on his career, his time in Nashville, and what’s next once his playing days are behind him.

“I’ve never been a guy that’s going to be a perennial Best XI type of player,” McCarty told BSM after playing his 514th MLS game, a 2-0 loss to Nashville SC on September 14. “I think I’ve had some great seasons in my career, but the one thing that I always backed myself to do was to give everything when I’ve been on the field and wear my heart on my sleeve and if people have seen that, then that’s great.”

People have certainly seen it. His visible emotion, enthusiasm for the game and genuine affection for the supporters made the 37-year-old Florida native a fan favorite in his previous stops with the New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire and most recently Nashville SC. A simple look at the comments section of his Instagram posts shows how much love there’s for him around the league.

That said, his time in Nashville seems to be special for him and the fans alike.

“I had never been a part of an expansion team before, and that was a really, really great challenge for me,” said McCarty reflecting on his time in Music City. McCarty made 140 appearances in all competitions for Nashville during his four seasons. “I absolutely love the city of Nashville. My wife and I will always hold a special place in our hearts for that city and that club and that fan base treated us so special.”

It’s uncommon in sports, if not altogether rare, for a player to switch teams and yet still be loved by the fans of the club he or she leaves behind. When McCarty announced that he would be leaving Nashville SC (a decision made primarily by the club rather than McCarty himself), most Nashville supporters were unhappy to see him go.

McCarty wasn’t merely the club’s first MLS captain; he helped build and shape the foundation of the club. Diligence, togetherness, accountability and loyalty were all qualities he brought to the expansion squad. He didn’t only instill the Nashville SC identity, he embodied it.

He held himself and the team to a high standard. When Nashville SC needed someone to speak on racial inequality during the pandemic, it was McCarty who sat down next to Jalil Anibaba. When Nashville SC needed someone to lead by example, McCarty was always there, often facing the media and speaking frankly. Even when the club decided to take the armband away and give it to Walker Zimmerman, he was still a leader in the team.

It wasn’t just the intangibles. McCarty was important to Nashville on the pitch just as much. When Nashville SC season ticket holders made their way to Nissan Stadium or later Geodis Park, a win was never guaranteed, but the effort was. A lot of that was due to him. His selfless running and work for the team was obvious to everyone, from the novice soccer fan to the experts. 

He led and contributed to a Nashville squad that made the playoffs in every season of their MLS existence, even chiming in with a “banger” and an occasional scuffle every now and again. 

He also helped Nashville reach the Leagues Cup final in 2023, the club’s biggest achievement to date. That loss in the final still haunts him.

“We got so close to winning that first trophy for the club in League’s Cup and it was such a special run,” he said. “It was really a shame that we couldn’t culminate it and cap it off with a trophy because the team deserved it and I think the fans deserved it and that was a real shame.”

With all that said, it was no surprise that McCarty received the biggest cheers from the traveling Nashville fans while subbing on for Atlanta United last week. He traded the Six Strings for the Five Stripes, but you wouldn’t know that if you heard the Nashville fans singing his name prior to kickoff in Mercedes Benz Stadium.

As the clock ticks away at the last few months of his playing career, McCarty is still focused on finishing the season strong with Atlanta, and he’s as fiery as ever. 

“I’m happy for them [Nashville], but obviously pissed off that we didn’t play as well as I would have liked us to play tonight,” he said after Nashville SC handed Atlanta a home defeat.

He’s also still planning to make good on his promise to Walker Zimmerman to score one more banger before the end of the season.

“I’m trying, I’m trying! I gotta get an opportunity. I had one, if you remember, in the reverse fixture in Nashville, I had a shot from the top of the box that I hit really well, it just wasn’t on frame,” he laughed. “So if I would have gotten that opportunity tonight, I would have put it on frame, probably would have put it in the top corner. Tough result for us to take, but yeah, I’m definitely looking for one more goal.

McCarty is keeping his post career options open, and he’ll certainly have offers from across the U.S. soccer landscape, whether it be in coaching, media or something else. But after all these years, the decision isn’t entirely up to him.

“I’m not taking anything off the table … I love Nashville and I’ll always consider it a second or third home,” McCarty smiled. “With that being said, my wife has been with me through this long journey for a very long time, so I told her she’s the boss. She can choose where we end up living when it’s all said and done.”

Whether or not McCarty returns to Nashville in any capacity will not change the legacy he has built. The Nashville faithful seem to have followed suit with the Red Bulls and Fire supporters in remaining Dax McCarty supporters from afar.

As he winds down his playing career, McCarty is doing what he’s always done – working hard, competing even harder, and appreciating those who make the game so special.

“I’ve just tried to be myself, tried to be authentic in who I am as a player and as a person,” he reflected. “And I’ve been able to, I think, forge a special relationship with every fan base I’ve been a part of, because I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for fans. They come, they support you, they pay hard-earned money to come and support teams that you’re on.”

“I think if you lose sight of that, then you don’t deserve to be playing.”