Nashville SC's season officially kicks off tonight, February 17, in the frigid northern air of Hamilton, Ontario. The 'Yotes enter the season with higher expectations than ever before, and real pressure to build on their successful 2025 campaign.
To preview the season, the full panel of SixOneFive Soccer staff made their predictions for the 2026 campaign, including how many goals the Coyotes will score, their playoff odds, and what defines success after lifting the first trophy in club history last year.
Sign up for a new annual membership during our preseason sale and save 25%!
What defines success for Nashville in 2025?
Ben Wright: Improving their game model from 2025 to be better in possession and more dangerous against set defenses, being a legitimate Supporters' Shield contender all season, and avoiding the mid-season slump that has become a trademark. If they do this, they will challenge for trophies, which is the ultimate determination of success.
Chris Ivey: Top 4 finish or silverware.
Christina Moore: It's hard to beat a cup year, but if I'm thinking beyond another trophy – the bar is beating Inter Miami consistently, or at least not getting blown out by them. And maybe hosting playoffs.
Jeff Remlinger: Setting up the system for sustained success. This core is good; they're also old. Nashville needs to develop guys like Ahmed Qasem, Matt Corcoran and Chris Applewhite to set the team up as perennial contenders.
Johel Maza: Home field Advantage in the playoffs AND a trophy.
Omari Jackson: Competing for trophies and winning big games at Geodis Park. Nashville will need to make a deep run in multiple competitions to take the next step.
Ronan Briscoe: Finishing top four in the East, beating Miami ONCE in ANYTHING!
Stephen Robinson: Please beat Miami... Please!
Valair Shabilla: Another trophy.
What are you most optimistic about for Nashville in 2026?
Ben: The setup under BJ Callaghan is excellent at generating chances for the forwards. That, plus the addition of Cristian Espinoza, should make them one of the elite attacking teams in MLS.
Chris: Espinoza leveling up the attack to an elite level.
Christina: Having seen a few practices, I'm really excited about the chemistry on the field, not just with Espinoza. This feels like the most depth Nashville have had.
Jeff: Nashville have three MLS-proven DPs, something that's incredibly rare in MLS. Even if everyone else on the team is just average, those three will raise the ceiling to contender level.
Johel: Depth throughout the roster.
Omari: I’m optimistic that this team will be even better than last year's. Nashville are ready to take the step into being an elite team.
Ronan: More improved ability to play within BJ's system.
Stephen: The fluidity and flexibility for changes in the lineup. Different attacking options that can come in and change a game, and not all of the attack being dependent on Hany and Sam.
Valair: Attacking depth.
What concerns you most for NSC?
Ben: The lack of quality depth at fullback concerns me, especially with age concerns for Andy Nájar and Dan Lovitz. I'd feel better with another midfielder and winger, but I think the World Cup break will probably allow Nashville to weather the first half of the year before adding reinforcements in the summer.
I'm also a bit concerned about transitioning away from both Walker Zimmerman and Joe Willis in the same season. I think the pieces they have now are good – better, even – but that's a lot of leadership to move away from in one go.
Chris: Midfield ball progression and the age of Lovitz and Najar.
Christina: The Miami Curse.
Jeff: Depth and age. There is no one like Najar, Lovitz, and Hany Mukhtar. They're irreplaceable. But also on the wrong side of 30. Can they put together another Best XI season?
Johel: Fullbacks: a big drop off in quality or unproven talent from the starters to the second options.
Omari: The central midfield and fullback options are still not where they need to be. It will be a long season, and pieces are needed there.
Ronan: Wing depth.
Stephen: DP and wingback production dropping.
Valair: Fullback and midfield depth
Will Nashville make the playoffs in 2025?
Ben: Yes.
Chris: Yes.
Christina: Duh.
Jeff: Yes, and Pharma won't mention Nashville in a playoff battle at any point this season.
Johel: Yes.
Omari: Yes.
Ronan: 1000% yes.
Stephen: Is this an actual question?
Valair: Yes.
Will Nashville win silverware in 2025?
Ben: Yes, they'll win Leagues Cup. At least.
Chris: No.
Christina: Yes! MLS Cup baby! Calling it now.
Jeff: Yes. Leagues Cup.
Johel: Yes. Leagues Cup or Supporters' Shield.
Omari: No.
Ronan: No.
Stephen: All of it, including the World Cup.
Valair: Yes, Leagues Cup.
Will Nashville score over or under 57.5 MLS goals in 2026?
Ben: Over (72)
Chris: Over (64)
Christina: Over - saying 67
Jeff: Over (65)
Johel: Over (62)
Omari: Over (61)
Ronan: Over (at least 60)
Stephen: Over by at least 10.
Valair: Over
Will Nashville concede over or under 44.5 MLS goals in 2026?
Ben: Under (44)
Chris: Over (50)
Christina: Under (30)
Jeff: Under (43)
Johel: Under (39)
Omari: Over (46)
Ronan: Under (38)
Stephen: Over, probably
Valair: Over
Which Nashville SC player will score the most goals in all competitions in 2026?
Everyone: Sam Surridge
Stephen: Daniel Lovitz
Which Nashville SC player will have the most assists in all competitions in 2026?
Ben: Hany Mukhtar
Chris: Cristian Espinoza
Christina: Hany Mukhtar
Jeff: Cristian Espinoza
Johel: Cristian Espinoza
Omari: Cristian Espinoza
Ronan: Cristian Espinoza
Stephen: Daniel Lovitz
Valair: Cristian Espinoza
Who will be Nashville's breakout player in 2026?
Ben: Matt Corcoran
Chris: Brian Schwake
Christina: Patrick Yazbek. He continues to be such a force on the pitch. It's a different game when he's not out there AND with World Cup attention this year – it could be the catalyst for him.
Jeff: Matthew Corcoran
Johel: Ahmed Qasem
Omari: Warren Madrigal
Ronan: Maxwell Woledzi
Valair: Matt Corcoran
What’s your bold prediction or hot take for Nashville heading into 2026?
Ben: Sam Surridge starts the season on a heater, and transfer interest from England gets even more serious in the summer.
Chris: This is BJ’s last season with Nashville. He is hired as the USMNT manager following the end of the year.
Christina: NASHVILLE ELIMINATE INTER MIAMI FROM SILVERWARE CONTENTION!
Jeff: Nashville sell three players for more than $3 million each by the end of the 2027 January transfer window. Perez, Yazbek, and a mystery third. Possibly Corcoran, Tagseth or Surridge?
Johel: Nashville break the unbeaten streak set last year and go on a 20-game unbeaten streak.
Omari: Nashville make it to at least the quarterfinals in Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.
Ronan: Ahmed Qasem gets 10 goals and assists.
Valair: Ahmed Qasem has 10+ goals (all competitions).
Free space
Ben: Nashville are in the middle of their championship window. Who knows how long it will last, but they can't afford to let seasons go to waste.
Chris: This team is one high-end defensive midfielder away from elite status. It would create tactical wrinkles, keep the midfield fresh through the grind, and allow Yazbek/Eddi more chances to be a late runner into the box.
Jeff: I hate saying a trophy is the expectation, because you have to be lucky to win one. No one wants to hear it, but Nashville's golden age is going to run head-to-head with the best team in MLS history in Inter Miami. That's pretty unlucky.
Nashville could be the second-best team on paper and still go trophyless, which is why I want them to continue developing youth for sustained success; eventually, talent and opportunity will meet and result in a trophy.
Johel: I can't wait to see the Boys in Gold play! They will be turning heads.
Ronan: Huntsville City FC make the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference final!
Stephen: Lol Clay didn’t do this either, what a nerd.
Valair: I think Nashville will struggle defensively, especially on the counter. That said, they have enough in attack where that won't kill them, it'll just be annoying for the fans. Also, subscribe to Six One Five Soccer!!
