Here at SixOneFive Soccer, we're breaking down the performances of every member of Nashville's squad during the 2025 season. Over the coming weeks, we'll review how all 33 players performed, their biggest moments of the campaign, and what to expect from them in 2026. You won't find this level of analysis anywhere else.
2025 report cards
Ben Wright
20-year-old attacker Alan Carleton joined Nashville's system in 2025, earning MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors with Huntsville City and making his MLS debut with Nashville SC.
2025 Grade: A
2025 by the numbers (Huntsville City FC)
Appearances: 15 (7 starts)
Minutes: 694
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
G+ per 96: -0.07
2024 grade: N/A
2025 in review
What a year for a 20-year-old from Powder Springs, Georgia! Carleton scored 12 goals and provided six assists, finishing eighth in MLS NEXT Pro for goal contributions and second among players under 21. He received numerous awards, including Huntsville’s Player of the Season and a spot on the MLS NEXT Pro Best 11. He also became the first Huntsville player called up on a short-term basis to play for Nashville in MLS.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
On the pitch, Carleton reminds me a lot of Hany Mukhtar, and I know how that sounds. His best position is an advanced 10 or more of a 9.5, like Mukhtar. He is electric in transition, pushing the game forward and punishing defenders one-on-one. He is an excellent creator for his teammates and really smart in the box, being at the right place at the right time to score.
I’m telling you guys. Hany-esque
— Nashville SC Stats (@NSC_Stats) August 14, 2025
5 goals off the Golden Boot
2 G+A off of the lead for goal contributions
He’s demanding a contract and NSC playing time. Every week I’m less convinced there’s a winger on NSC’s roster better than Carleton
pic.twitter.com/4ljhIdZC9W
Carleton’s individual success pushed Huntsville to new heights. The club made the MLS Next Pro playoffs for the first time and defeated Chattanooga before falling to Philadelphia in the semi-finals. Carleton set the club record for goals and assists and, along with Christian Koffi, formed one of the best attacking duos in Next Pro.
I’m giving Alan Carleton an A. He was in the running for MVP and surpassed every expectation for him.
Moment of the season
In mid-June, Carleton caught fire against Crown Legacy, scoring 2 goals plus an assist. It was his coming-out party that kicked off a tear of 8 goals and 3 assists in 7 games.
Looking ahead
Success in MLS Next Pro is a good indicator of success in MLS. In the pair of tweets below, you can see how Alan Carleton’s 2025 season compares to Jonny Pérez’s 2023 season. Carleton’s end product was better, and he was a year younger than Pérez. It also still took Pérez another season and a half after his 2021 NEXT Pro season to have his MLS breakout.
I like to compare Carleton's success to Jonny Perez in Next Pro.
— Nashville SC Stats (@NSC_Stats) October 6, 2025
Carleton is right at Perez's level with more goal scoring, and he's a year younger than Perez was in this snapshot.
He won't get the hype when we sign him because he came from HV, but fans should be excited pic.twitter.com/VGwv5ebYwl
Carleton looked capable of being a fringe contributor with Nashville SC, potentially working his way into a larger role. And while there was interest from Nashville, Carleton opted to sign a three-year deal in the Swedish second division and test the waters in Europe.
