NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC returned home this past Saturday after being knocked out in the Concacaf Champions Cup, taking on DC United at Geodis Park on Saturday night.
Nashville entered this game atop the Eastern Conference. Nashville were down three starters on Saturday: Patrick Yazbek was hurt warming up against Tigres and will be out until the World Cup break, while Eddi Tagseth and Sam Surridge remained on the sidelines.
Ben Wright
Nashville were really poor in the first half. There was a 10-to-15-minute span in the first half when Nashville were pinned deep in their half, and they kept losing possession after some uncharacteristically poor passes. They ended up conceding twice across a five-minute span in the 25th and 29th minute.
DC’s first goal came from an inswinging cross. Jeisson Palacios didn’t track his run, and it was a comfortable header for Louis Munteanu, who beat Brian Schwake at the back post. Just minutes later, DC added a second goal off another inswinger, this time a corner from Keisuke Kurokawa. Palacios again was mainly to blame for allowing a free header for Lucas Bartlett.
By the time the halftime whistle blew, Nashville badly needed the chance to regroup.
Nashville have been praised in 2026 for their depth. At full strength, Nashville are arguably the most complete side in MLS. However, losing three starters – two of those being Tagseth and Yazbek, who play heavy minutes for this side – can be difficult to bounce back from. Given their injuries, Nashville’s bench was not among the strongest they’ve fielded this season.
To be an elite club in MLS (and honestly in any league), players need to have big moments when their backs are against the wall. Players on the fringes of the squad need to step up and claim bigger roles.
Enter Warren Madrigal.
Madrigal was brought on in the 63rd minute and had a virtually perfect cameo off the bench. Up to that point in the match, Nashville hadn’t really threatened DC going forward. Nashville had consistently dominate the ball (their 74% possession was the most in their history), but hadn’t capitalized on their possession.
The Coyotes' first goal came in the 76th minute. A chipped ball into the box found Matt Corcoran, who chested it down to do a volley on the turn and was able to steer it on frame, forcing Sean Johnson to reach full stretch. His parry went straight to Madrigal, who tapped it in from inside the six-yard box.
Warren Madrigal with the finish and @NashvilleSC cut the deficit in half. pic.twitter.com/4NtrikHc7h
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 10, 2026
Then, in the 89th minute, Andy Nájar proved yet again why he is the best right back in MLS, with a sublime outswinging 25-yard cross finding a free Madrigal. The Costa Rican chested it down and volleyed it into the bottom corner past Johnson. Nashville showed resilience. They fought back in that second half to earn a point.
Warren Madrigal, take a bow!@NashvilleSC pull level 👊 pic.twitter.com/YJStGbtIpr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 10, 2026
Being inside the stadium when Nashville completed this comeback in the final 15 was absolute limbs. This match was a throwback to Nashville’s 3-2 win over Toronto on June 23, 2021. Luke Haakenson was subbed on and scored two late goals to give Nashville a dramatic three points.
While Saturday’s comeback didn’t result in a win, it did show the type of next-guy-up mentality that big clubs are built on. The ability to bring on a sub and the level and the energy to not drop. After disappointment midweek and a dreadful first half, Nashville raised the level.
Warren Madrigal redeemed himself. He filled in for Surridge in both legs against Tigres, and in all honesty, he was disappointing. The effort and the runs were there – they have always been there – but he was missing the final touch. He missed numerous chances across both legs, even more impactful with Nashville badly needing goals.
Madrigal showed how high his ceiling truly is when he came in in the second half against DC and bagged a brace to make the comeback. It's exactly what Nashville needed.
Nashville will next host LAFC on May 17th. This match is important. Arguably the best MLS side to visit Geodis Park this season. Defensively, the ‘Yotes have been brilliant up to this point, but how will this defense shape up against Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga?
LAFC are coming off a Champions Cup semifinal exit like Nashville, and they fell this past weekend to a mediocre Houston Dynamo side. LAFC also play on the road on Wednesday, traveling to St Louis. Look out for both sides to potentially rotate on the road midweek, with Nashville traveling to a red-hot New England Revolution.
Nashville vs LAFC on Sunday, however, is easily the game of the week. Nashville have a possession-based style of play, while LAFC prefer to sit back and try to hit on the counter. It's going to be appointment viewing in primetime.
