NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC are the first MLS club to officially secure qualification to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Boys in Gold clinched first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-1 draw against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Nashville SC secures its spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup! 🎟️✅ pic.twitter.com/w2ve2AfE6w
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) October 19, 2026
Heading into the match, Nashville held a 14-point lead in the Supporters' Shield race and would have won the Shield with three points. While they've yet to officially clinch the Shield, a single point in one of their next four matches would secure it, while a single dropped point from Vancouver would also clinch the Shield.
Their 1-1 draw in San Jose sealed first place in the Eastern Conference. It's the first time the 'Yotes have finished first in a conference since joining MLS in 2020.
Third time's a charm
2027 will be Nashville SC's third time playing in the Champions Cup. After a Round of 16 exit in their 2024 debut tournament, the Boys in Gold made a magical run to the semifinals in 2026.
After eliminating reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami, they became the first MLS side in history to win a match at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, beating Club América 1-0 in a historic result, thanks to an unforgettable goal from Hany Mukhtar.
Hany Mukhtar takes the Nashville lead at Estadio Azteca! 🫡@TheChampions pic.twitter.com/oVIigTz5eH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 15, 2026
More history in store?
Only three MLS clubs have ever won the Champions Cup. DC United and LA Galaxy won in 1998 and 2000, respectively, in a much different format, with only eight teams participating and all matches played in the United States.
In 2022, Seattle Sounders became the first MLS team to win in the current format, which included 28 teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
After making it to the semifinals in 2026, falling to Tigres 2-0 on aggregate over a tight two legs, and missing several crucial players due to injury, Nashville will look to improve on their showing. On pace to set the MLS single-season points record, they'll head into 2027 in no shortage of confidence, and with a squad proven to be able to hold their own against the region's elite teams.
