Recap: Nashville SC set MLS points record with win in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, OH – Nashville SC set the MLS single-season points record in their final match of the 2026 MLS regular season, with a brace from Sam Surridge earning a 2-0 win at TQL Stadium.

The vibe check (TL;DR)

• What happened: In their final match of the 2026 regular season, Nashville SC went on the road against a difficult FC Cincinnati side and put in a typically assured performance, getting a match-winning goal from Sam Surridge to earn their eighth road win of the season.
• What we learned: With 77 points on the table, Nashville have completed the best season in MLS history, smashing Inter Miami's 2024 record of 74 points and writing their names in the history books as one of the greatest teams MLS has ever seen.
• Big picture: In addition to the points record, Nashville's clean sheet makes them the best defensive team in the modern era of MLS, allowing just 25 goals in 34 matches. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake ties Tony Meola's 2000 record of 16 clean sheets in a season, and Nashville's team 17 clean sheets also tie the MLS record. Their three losses are the fewest in an MLS season, in addition to already setting the home wins and points record.

Highlights

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Key moments

• 18' | A slick passing move between Kevin Dénkey and Samuel Gidi ends with a promising shot from Gidi, but it's comfortably saved by Brian Schwake.
• 19' | Nashville get a good look in transition via Patrick Yazbek, but Hany Mukhtar's shot from the top of the box is blocked.
• 22' | Tom Barlow has the ball in the back of the net with a point-blank header, but the flag goes up for offside. Schwake looks like he hurt himself while attempting to make the save, but he's able to carry on.
• 27' | An incredible save from Schwake keeps Nashville level, somehow slapping a shot from Barlow off the post and out.
• 35' | Another save from Schwake on Barlow, getting down quickly to hold onto a low shot across the goal. Maxwell Woledzi looks like he hurt himself earlier in the play, but stays on for the time being.
• 43' | Nashville's best chance so far comes from a trademark Nájar-Mukhtar combination, with the captain receiving an incisive pass on the top of the box and forcing Roman Celentano into a strong save at his near post.
• 50' | Nashville come out of the half controlling the ball, and create an excellent chance from possession with a great entry pass to Mukhtar by Cristian Espinoza. The shot is blocked out for a corner.
• 51' | Jack Maher has a fantastic chance to score the opening goal with a free header from a corner, but his shot is blocked before it can trouble Celentano.
• 53' | An elite delivery from Nájar finds the head of Sam Surridge, but he can't direct his header towards the far post, and Celentano saves.
• 59' | An unreal ball from Matt Corcoran finds a streaking Nájar inside the box. He cuts it back towards the penalty spot, but all of Nashville's runners crashed the goal, and it's cut out.
• 61' | Nashville take a deserved lead through Surridge, who gets on the end of a beautiful entry pass from Nájar and calmly tucks into the bottom corner.
• 66' | Mukhtar tries to curl a set piece into the top corner, but his effort is high and ripples the top of the net.
• 68' | Maher makes a last-second defensive intervention to poke a low cross just past his own post.
• 86' | Surridge caps off the win, and the points record for Nashville, with a calm finish after a perfect ball from Yazbek puts him clean through on goal.
• 90+3' | Nearly a hat-trick from Surridge. He brings down a perfect cross from substitute Warren Madrigal, but he can't keep his chipped effort under the bar.

Standout performers

• Sam Surridge scored his 20th and 21st goals of the MLS season clinically, showing off impressive composure and patience in front of goal to continue his strong form.
• Patrick Yazbek ran the show in midfield. Not only did the Australian log two assists, but he continually won back possession in crucial areas and was able to advance the ball through Cincinnati's press.
• This was a trademark game from Andy Nájar, who consistently beat his defender on the dribble and whipped in pinpoint service for his forwards.

Lineup notes

BJ Callaghan made just one change to the side that beat Red Bull New York 3-2 on Sunday. Defender Jeisson Palacios was a surprise inclusion on the injury report and fully missed out on the matchday squad, with Jack Maher replacing him for his first appearance since September 9.

What it means

Nashville SC are officially the best team in MLS regular-season history! Their 2026 season has been nothing short of historic, and they'll head into the MLS Cup Playoffs as firm favorites.

Up next

The 2026 MLS regular season is officially in the books. Nashville SC will have 15 days until they kick off their MLS Cup Playoffs campaign, taking on the winner of the Wild Card match between Orlando City and FC Cincinnati at Geodis Park on November 22.

Stats

Possession: CIN 49% – 51% NSH
Field tilt (per Futi): CIN 60% – 40% NSH
Shots: CIN 14 – 14 NSH
Shots on goal: CIN 5 – 5 NSH
Penalty kicks: CIN 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: CIN 0 – 2 NSH
Expected goals: CIN 0.99 – 1.50 NSH
Total Passes: CIN 365 – 408 NSH
Fouls: CIN 13 – 6 NSH
Yellow cards: CIN 5 – 2 NSH
Red cards: CIN 0 – 0 NSH
Deserved win (per Futi): CIN 14% – 62% NSH

Post-match media