Nashville SC take on Tigres UANL in Monterrey tonight in a crucial second leg. After losing the first leg 1-0, the Boys In Gold need a 1-0 win to send the tie to extra time, with any other win putting them through to the final outright.
No MLS team has ever won outright at Tigres's Estadio Universitario (Columbus Crew won in penalties after a 2-2 draw in 2024). After Nashville became the first MLS club to win at Club América's Estadio Azteca, it will take a similarly monumental effort to book a spot in the final.
Ben Wright
SixOneFive Soccer has a full crew of staff on the ground in Monterrey, with Ben Wright, Johel Maza, and Stephen Robinson on location. Follow them on socials for behind-the-scenes looks at the match.
Match info
Teams: Tigres UANL vs Nashville SC
Odds: TIG (-143), Draw (+290), NSH (+375)
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 8:30 pm CT
Venue: Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
TV: FS1, TUDN , ConcacafGO, OneSoccer
Forecast: 97º/69º. 88º at kickoff. Mostly sunny. 2-9 mph winds, gusts up to 17 mph. 0% chance of rain. 46% humidity.
Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 0
Nashville goals: 0
Draws: 0
Tigres wins: 1
Tigres goals: 1
Last meeting: NSH 0-1 TIG (April 28, 2026 | CCC)
Tigres
The numbers
Goal leaders: Juan Brunetta (8), Ángel Correa (6)
Assist leaders: Ángel Correa (8), Juan Brunetta (5)
Last match: Tigres 3-1 Chivas (May 2, 2026 | Liga MX Playoffs)
Tigres snapshot
Tigres are into the Liga MX playoffs, taking down Chivas 3-1 in the first leg of their playoff series. After conceding in the opening 11 minutes, Tigres stormed back to win, scoring three goals between the 45th and 55th minutes to put them at a significant advantage.
Head coach Guido Pizarro played a full-strength squad against Chivas, making just two changes to the side that beat Nashville 1-0 in the first leg. Right back Jesús Garza should start tonight, back from suspension and straight back into the backline. On the wings, Diego Lainez, Marcelo Flores, and Jonathan Herrera have all rotated turns starting opposite Ángel Correa.
The first leg clearly demonstrated how dangerous Tigres can be. They move the ball efficiently, and are all on the same page as far as changing the tempo, able to slow it down and reset or push forward rapidly to take advantage of a disorganized defense.
Their playoff push against Chivas could impact their freshness – Nashville rotated on the weekend, but Tigres didn't. It could result in potential tired legs, but playing both matches at home gives them a significant advantage.
El Volcán is one of the most intimidating atmospheres in MLS, less hyped than the Azteca, but equally formidable. Tigres have been dominant at home against MLS opposition, beating Seattle 2-0 and Cincinnati 5-1 at El Volcán this year in Concacaf. They'll be looking to make Nashville their next victim.
Predicted XI
Nashville SC
The numbers
Standings: 1st (East) | 23 points | 7W-2D-1L | +15 GD
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (9), Cristian Espinoza & Hany Mukhtar (3)
Assist leaders: Cristian Espinoza & Mukhtar (5), Andy Nájar (4)
Last match: PHI 0-0 NSH (May 2, 2026 | MLS)
Nashville SC snapshot
Playing away to Tigres would always be a formidable task for Nashville. Playing away to Tigres without Sam Surridge and Eddi Tagseth, both injured, is even more daunting.
Nashville, though, aren't going to change how they play. Hany Mukhtar said it best in his pre-match press conference.
"We walked away after the Tigres game thinking that they didn't get our best punch," he said. "You're in a semifinal. That is a bad feeling. We're frustrated. We have to turn that around into energy and bring that tomorrow on the field."
Ben Wright
Matt Corcoran and Patrick Yazbek are the two clear options in midfield, and both can play at a high level. Adding a player like Alex Muyl to pinch inside centrally and help make up numbers in midfield will help ease some of the defensive burden, especially on a player like Corcoran.
Nashville have allowed eight goals in 17 matches this season. Away from home, they've conceded just three times in nine games. They need to score at least a goal, yes. But they also need to maintain this defensive excellence in one of North America's most daunting environments. Are they up for the test?
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: TIG 2–2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville come painfully close, but can't find a crucial goal to push them through on away goals.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: TIG 2-1 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar
MOTM: Patrick Yazbek
Bold prediction: Tigres score in the opening five minutes.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: TIG 1–2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar (x2)
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Well, I, for one, believe.
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 1–1 TIG
Scorers: Cristian Espinoza
MOTM: Cristian Espinoza
Bold prediction: Nashville score early-ish, but Tigres take charge after.
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