Story by
Nashville SC Claims First Supporters’ Shield Title
- Story by
- Nashville SC Claims First Supporters’ Shield Title
Credit: Keito Newman-Imagn Images
Nashville SC is chasing a massive points record after securing its first MLS Supporters' Shield title on Saturday. The club won the trophy for the first time in its history by beating CF Montréal 2-0. This victory gives the team an unassailable lead in the standings with only three regular-season games left in the 2026 season.
The club currently sits at 70 points through 31 games. According to ESPN , Nashville could even pass the 74-point record set by Inter Miami during their 2024 championship run. No other team can catch them. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami are the closest rivals, but they trail by 15 points with four games remaining.
Advertisement
The Saturday Victory
The goals on Saturday came from the team's most reliable offensive weapons. Sam Surridge scored the first goal in the 51st minute after his first header was blocked. Captain Hany Mukhtar then secured the win in the 76th minute by finishing a low shot following a defensive error. According to ESPN, head coach BJ Callaghan stated during his postgame news conference, "The locker room celebration is quite joyous at the moment."
Nashville's dominance this year is built on a rock-solid defense and a high-scoring attack. The team leads the league with 21 wins and has allowed only 23 goals. They also hold the best goal differential at plus-43. While they have 66 goals so far, they trail Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference for total goals scored.
A Record Breaking Season
The club is playing lights-out soccer at home this year. Nashville is the only MLS team that remains unbeaten at home in 2026. They also tied a league record with 14 home wins and a 10-game winning streak at their stadium. "Anytime we get an opportunity to play in front of our home fans, we are motivated," Callaghan said.
Advertisement
The roster features heavy hitters like Surridge, who has 18 goals, and Mukhtar, who has 17. Additionally, offseason addition Cristian Espinoza has helped the attack by providing 14 assists. These numbers show a team that knows how to win tight games and blow opponents out.
Championship Momentum
This isn't the first trophy for this group lately. Nashville won the US Open Cup in 2025. By winning the Supporters' Shield, they also earned a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and home-field advantage for the MLS Cup playoffs. This win on Saturday also officially knocked Montreal out of the playoff race.
The team's climb from an expansion side in 2020 to a league leader is impressive. Callaghan is now the first coach since 2016 to win both the US Open Cup and the Supporters' Shield within two years. "We know that we've got more work to do," Callaghan added.
