NASHVILLE, TN – On Friday, Nashville SC added center back Nick DePuy to the season ending-injury list. Nashville traded $50,000 in General Allocation Money for DePuy, 28, from the LA Galaxy this past offseason, in addition to a 2024 SuperDraft second round pick.
It’s obviously a disappointing setback for DePuy. It’s also a hugely concerning injury for Nashville. Acquiring DePuy was a key part of their decision to trade Dave Romney to New England Revolution, with DePuy set to provide much-needed depth at the back and a starting-quality defensive option.
Per the league rules, players added to the season ending injury list “will not be eligible to play for the club in any remaining competition during that MLS season (including any exhibition games or tournaments, including but not limited to: Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, Canadian Championship and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup).”
Placing DePuy on the season ending injury list means Nashville will open his spot on the senior roster, and have the option to sign a replacement player and receive “salary budget relief” before the primary transfer window closes on April 24.
With DePuy injured, Nashville now go from being fairly deep at center back to worryingly thin. Walker Zimmerman is likely to play for the U.S. National Team during FIFA’s March window, leaving Jack Maher and Josh Bauer as the presumed starters for their March 25 match against FC Cincinnati.
Nashville signed free agent Laurence Wyke in the offseason, and he provides some depth across the backline and in midfield. But an injury to either Zimmerman or Maher now goes from concerning to fairly catastrophic.
Gary Smith hinted at frustrations with his signing from the Galaxy in his weekly media availability on Thursday.
Here's what Gary Smith said about Nick DePuy. His response to my follow up was interrupted to say that Nashville will put out a statement tomorrow. #EveryoneN https://t.co/tqjnIlobGp pic.twitter.com/hG0CLrJqYE
— Ben Wright (@benwright) March 9, 2023
“It’s a completely different story with regards in regards to recruitment of that player and what went on in that deal,” said Smith, “which, I think player and club are very disappointed about.”
With DePuy out for the season, it remains to be seen if Nashville will try to make a move to bring more depth to their backline, or if they are confident in their current roster to be able to compensate.
