NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC have reached a new contract agreement with goalkeeper Joe Willis, sources have confirmed to SixOneFive Soccer.
Willis, 37, had his option declined after the end of the 2025 season, but has negotiated a new contract to keep him in Nashville for 2026.
Ben Wright
With 205 appearances in all competitions, Willis has the third-most appearances in Nashville SC history, keeping 61 clean sheets and marshalling one of the best back lines in MLS.
24-year-old US Open Cup final MVP Brian Schwake is still expected to go into the 2026 season as the first-choice option, but with Nashville looking to bring in a veteran to back him up, Willis made obvious sense. Xavier Valdez also returns as a highly-qualified third-choice 'keeper, and could eventually challenge for a bigger role.
UPDATE: A prior version of this report incorrectly claimed that the deal includes an option for 2027. It does not, and is a single-year contract for 2026.
