Tennessee Tempo continue to dominate the UPSL. After their run to the second round of the US Open Cup run, Tempo went on a spectacular run in league play.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Tempo finished their regular season campaign with 34 points from 12 matches, winning 11 and drawing just once. Their attacking output has been staggering, scoring 41 goals while allowing just nine. Tempo have 16 different goalscorers in 2026, nine of whom have multiple goals. Their top goalscorer, Chijioke Otuonye, has nine goals in 12 appearances, culminating in a hat-trick against Pumas Premier.
On Saturday, they'll take on local rivals Tennessee United in the UPSL KY-TN division playoffs. The winner will advance to the UPSL National Playoffs, looking to defend their title as national champions. But heading into the playoffs, head coach Gift Ndam says he's changing his mindset on what success looks like.
"I don't need another trophy. Have you been to my house?" he laughed during a phone conversation with SixOneFive Soccer. "I don't want a trophy. I want more men that have the right mindset towards what we're doing... My mindset has really shifted from wanting to win a national championship. I've really thought more about how I can duplicate my mindset to the guys, and wherever that ends up, I'm going to be okay with it."
Despite Tempo's stellar record this season, the year hasn't been without its challenges. Gunning for their seventh conference championship in the last nine seasons, they're the team to beat in UPSL right now, and have gone into every match with a target on their backs. Teams have made themselves difficult to play against, and it's required a tactical shift from Tempo.
"This freaking World Cup, man — it's giving these teams more belief that they should sit in a low block!" Ndam said. "It's frustrating for me as a coach because when teams sit in a low block, it's really hard to play against. I wish they would come out and play. We decided to give up a striker to get another extra midfielder in there. Even if we have 80% possession, the 20% they have, we have to run."
• Saturday, June 27
• Siegel High School Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN
• 6:00 pm CT
• Tickets
Heading into Saturday's match, Ndam still wants to win trophies. But he's starting to think more about the long-term vision of his project in Nashville, what Tempo's legacy will be, and redefining what the standard is for this team. For Ndam, "good" goes beyond just results.
"Can we look back and say that was good? We won 11 out of 12, scored 47 goals, finished 10 points clear at the top of the table. Wherever our journey ends this season — was that good?" he asked. "Did I give my best effort? Did I change lives on the field? Did I change lives off the field? And can they impact their life, their family, their community? That's what is good."
"We are changing lives on and off the field. I've got two little boys and taking time away from them to be on the field as much as I am — it's rewarding to see that."
