NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC have rejected offers for center back Chris Applewhite, according to a report from The Athletic's Tom Bogert.
Applewhite, 18, was signed to a homegrown contract ahead of the 2025 season and became the first homegrown player to start a match for Nashville SC. During his debut season, he made a total of seven appearances (four starts) in all competitions, named to the matchday squad a total of 20 times.
In 2026, though, he hasn't made a first-team appearance, with his lone appearance in a matchday squad coming as an unused substitute in a 4-1 Leagues Cup win over Atlético San Luis. His season has been hampered by recurring injuries, missing 18 matches before returning to fitness long enough to captain the United States U20s to a run to the Concacaf U20 Championship final, in which he was sent off in the first half.
After returning to Nashville, he picked up another injury, missing Nashville's win over Columbus, and set to miss tonight's match against FC Cincinnati.
Sources: Nashville SC reject approaches from other MLS clubs for USYNT center back Chris Applewhite
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 29, 2026
Been called about loan w/ option deals but Nashville aren't looking to move him
Applewhite, 18, captained US U-20s and hasn't made a first team appearance for NSH this year pic.twitter.com/qAXTi7mukB
At this stage in his career, Applewhite needs regular minutes to continue developing, but he's a high-level prospect, one who Nashville don't want to lose. It remains to be seen if he'll stay with the first team and look to get minutes with Huntsville City in MLS NEXT Pro, or if a loan to a USL Championship side – as Matt Corcoran did in 2025 – could be in the cards.
