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Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis becomes free agent as club announces roster decisions
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- Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis becomes free agent as club announces roster decisions
Joe Willis , who has been Nashville SC 's starting goalkeeper since the club joined Major League Soccer in 2020, will become a free agent after the club declined his contract option.
Nashville, which was eliminated from the MLS playoffs on Nov. 8 with a first-round loss to Inter Miami , announced its 2026 roster decisions on Nov. 17.
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NSC exercised options on Daniel Lovitz , Alex Muyl , Woobens Pacius and Xavier Valdez and declined options on Bryan Acosta , Gaston Brugman , Maximus Ekk, Julian Gaines , Tate Schmitt , Wyatt Meyer and Willis.
Walker Zimmerman , whose departure was announced Nov. 12, and Teal Bunbury are both out of contract and will not return to Nashville in 2026.
Joe Willis to leave Nashville SC
Willis, along with Acosta, Brugman , Bunbury, Schmitt and Zimmerman, will enter free agency on Dec. 10. Gaines and Meyer are eligible for the Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 11 and 17, while Ekk will go on waivers, which opens Dec. 9.
The 37-year-old Willis started every game in MLS play this season, allowing 45 goals to anchor a defense tied for the ninth-fewest goals in the league. He made 90 saves, stopping 69% of shots he faced, and posted eight shutouts.
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For his career, Willis is ninth all-time among MLS goalkeepers in games played (314) and 13th in shutouts (79). He appeared in 205 games during his six seasons in Nashville.
MORE: Major League Soccer moving to fall-spring calendar starting with 2027 season
Nov 8, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) puts the ball in play against Inter Miami CF during the first half at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
"Joe's been with us every season since our inception, and has done everything we've asked of a goalkeeper," said Nashville SC general manager and president of soccer operations Mike Jacobs. "He's been a part of record-setting defenses, and is someone that as we look back on the history of our club, I hope fans look back on it fondly, because 'Joe said no' way more often than not."
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While Nashville may look to bring in a goalie in free agency or via trade, Brian Schwake should get the first chance at being the No. 1 goalkeeper in 2026. The 24-year-old started all five games of NSC's run to the U.S. Open Cup championship , and had a key penalty save in the final against Austin FC as Nashville won its first trophy.
Valdez, 21, is the only other goalie on Nashville's roster. He didn't appear in a game this season.
Dan Lovitz, Alex Muyl return to Nashville
It's little surprise that Lovitz and Muyl had their options picked up. Like Willis, the pair have been with Nashville since its debut season in MLS and have been regular starters almost the entire time since.
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Lovitz appeared in 31 games in 2025 and scored two goals with a career-high seven assists at left back. Muyl played in 32 games and was one of Nashville's most dependable midfielders, totaling one goal and four assists.
Pacius spent this season on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, scoring 17 goals in 35 games for the USL club. The forward might be in line for first-team minutes in 2026 with Bunbury departing the club. Bunbury was the primary backup for MVP finalist Sam Surridge .
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC roster decisions, GK Joe Willis to become free agent
