Following a frustrating 1-0 midweek defeat to Club León, Nashville SC returns to GEODIS Park on Sunday night for their second round in the 2026 Leagues Cup.
With zero points through one match, BJ Callaghan's side faces an immediate must-win scenario if they hope to keep their knockout round qualification hopes alive.
Under the 36-team tournament format, only the top four MLS clubs advance to the knockout rounds. Historically, teams need at least seven points to comfortably cross the threshold and advance from Phase One. Having dropped all three points to León, Nashville SC cannot afford another setback across their remaining Phase One fixtures.
The 'Yotes need six points in their matches against San Luis and Monterrey, as well as dropped points from several other MLS clubs to have the slimmest chance of advancing.
Ben Wright
Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Atlético San Luis
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN, United States
TV: Apple TV
Forecast: Forecast: 95º/ 35º. 85º at kickoff. Mostly sunny. 4-5 mph winds. 26% chance of rain. 69% humidity.
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Head-to-head
Atlético de San Luis
The numbers
Goal leaders: Rafa Llorente (2)
Assist leaders: Román Torres (1) & Leonardo Flores (1)
Last match: MIA 4–2 ASL (August 5,2026 | Leagues Cup)
Atlético de San Luis snapshot
Atlético de San Luis enter Geodis Park looking to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities on the counter-attack. The Liga MX side historically relies on structured defensive shapes before striking quickly in wide areas.
In transition, San Luis look to trigger early vertical passes into the channels. Managing their secondary runs from midfield will be critical for Nashville’s defensive line, which surrendered a late 79th-minute winner against León on Wednesday.
San Luis were defeated handily by Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup opener, losing 4-2 via a Lionel Messi brace. Like Nashville, this is a must-win match for them.
Ahead of the match, Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan was extremely complimentary of the side, calling them "a joy to watch, a joy to analyze". Building out of a 5-4-1 shape with former Portland Timbers star Felipe Mora leading the line, they'll pose a difficult challenge for Nashville SC.
Predicted XI
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Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: N/A
Assist leaders: N/A
Last match: NSH 0–1 LEO (August 5, 2026 | Leagues Cup)
Nashville SC snapshot
After rotating several starters during Wednesday's 1-0 loss to León, head coach BJ Callaghan will likely revert to a much stronger starting group. Even with the loss meaning chances of advancement are small, Nashville need to make sure they keep their starters sharp and with solid match fitness heading back into the regular season.
Star striker Sam Surridge and midfielder Eddi Tagseth both came off the bench in the second half on Wednesday and should be in line to start. Additionally, Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza are both looking to return from injury, with Callaghan confirming on Friday that they could be available depending on how they respond in training.
BJ Callaghan says they're "optimistic" that Mukhtar and Espinoza will be able to play against San Luis on Sunday, but that it'll depend on how they handle today and tomorrow. Yazbek remains out. Camara is in training and available; they're trying to determine his minutes.
— Ben Wright (@benwright.bsky.social) August 7, 2026 at 12:11 PM
With top spot in the MLS Supporters' Shield race to protect and a marquee league match against Inter Miami looming on August 15, Callaghan faces a balancing act. However, given the high barrier to entry in the Leagues Cup knockout stage, expect Nashville to push aggressively from the opening whistle to establish tempo and grab an early goal.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 2–0 ASL
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Elias Saad
MOTM: Elias Saad
Bold prediction: Nashville put out a much stronger lineup than Wednesday.
Chris Ivey
Score: NSH 2–0 ASL
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: A stronger lineup for one week ahead of Miami to keep starters in a regular flow.
Colby Hitchcock
Score: NSH 0–0 ASL
Scorers: N/A
MOTM: Xavier Valdez
Bold prediction: Nashville rotate again, with the odds of advancing lowered with more dropped points.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 2–0 ASL
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Elias Saad
MOTM: Thomas Williams
Bold prediction: Nashville surprise again and go with a slightly stronger lineup to keep up match fitness.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: NSH 3–1 ASL
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2), Elias Saad
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: As poor as Nashville have looked at times since the break, Atletico San Luis are probably just way worse.
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 2–0 ASL
Scorers: Warren Madrigal, Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Warren Madrigal
Bold prediction: A completely dominant performance by Nashville with the same rotated lineup.
