Nashville SC eye MLS Cup after record-setting regular season

By Ben Wright CINCINNATI – Nashville SC 's historic season keeps rolling. The Boys in Gold capped their record-setting regular-season campaign with a 2-0 Decision Day victory over FC Cincinnati , riding a Sam Surridge brace to their 23rd win and an MLS single-season record 77 points. After winning the 2025 US Open Cup and 2026 Supporters' Shield, Nashville have established themselves amongst the most dominant regular-season teams in league history. Now, they'll enter the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs as favorites to add another trophy to their collection. "We come into every season, and we don't put expectations on ourselves, because sometimes those can actually be limiting factors," said head coach B.J. Callaghan.  "What we talk about is making sure that we stick to the way that we prepare, how every single guy prepares himself, and we want to put in the work each and every day. We believe in the work that we're doing; we believe in the group, the collectiveness." Record over rivals It's fitting that the team whose points record Nashville surpassed was Inter Miami CF . Since the two clubs entered MLS as expansion teams in 2020, the rivals have been pitted against each other repeatedly. Miami eliminated Nashville from last year's MLS Cup Playoffs en route to winning it all, but Nashville returned the favor in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup . Now, they've surpassed Miami's single-season points record (74), set in 2024. Since Callaghan took over in 2024, Nashville have consistently reached new heights. According to defender Jack Maher , the first SuperDraft pick in club history, that's no coincidence. "B.J. has transformed our team, and the growth that we've had from 2024 to now is unlike anything I've ever seen before," said the center back.  "This guy eats, sleeps, and breathes soccer, Nashville SC soccer, and that work ethic is now instilled in all of us players... That comes from the top down, and it goes to show how good a coach B.J. is. He's pushed us and pushed us to be better, because he believed in us, and now after 34 games we're really believing in ourselves. That's a recipe made for success." Rock-solid defense Nashville SC have built their identity around defensive excellence since entering MLS, dating back to the days of Gary Smith, Joe Willis and Walker Zimmerman . Even as their attack has reached new heights with a club-record 85 goals across all competitions, the Boys in Gold have remained one of the league's stingiest defensive teams. Brian Schwake 's 16th clean sheet of the season in Cincinnati tied Tony Meola's MLS record from 2000. Nashville's 17 clean sheets also matched the league record, while their 25 goals conceded were the fewest in a 34-game season. "For Brian to even be mentioned in that [company] is a tremendous individual accomplishment for him," said Callaghan, a collegiate goalkeeper himself. "You see the way that the back line and him play together... They give him confidence that he can play to them and be himself, because he's got guys in front of him who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep a clean sheet." Even without injured Defender of the Year candidate Jeisson Palacios , Nashville shut out MVP candidate Evander and Cincinnati's potent attack. "We have a deep team, especially a deep back line. We have some of the best center backs in the league, hands down," said Maher, who made his 11th regular-season appearance of the year. "They're playing at levels that I saw prime Walker Zimmerman playing at, and that speaks to how incredible these players and people are. It's a joy to play with them each time I get the opportunity." Not done yet With their record-setting season complete, Nashville SC are turning their attention to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. "It's a new season, right?" said Callaghan. "The regular season's over. We'll enjoy it tonight. We're allowed to go up one notch above emotionally neutral, and then we'll get right back to work... We'll be ready to get to work on Monday, with a full focus on making sure that the team is ready to play when the playoffs start." Club captain Hany Mukhtar , the 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, has led the charge with a team-high 25 goal contributions this season (17g/8a). Maher believes he's deserving of a second MVP award. "It's been incredible watching him grow over the course of seven years, and I'm biased, but I think he 100% deserves to win the MVP trophy this year," he said. "When you look over the course of 34 games, what Hany has done as a leader, as a supplier, as a guy who has always come to work in each and every game, he's the best player on the best team in MLS history. I just hope that's something people take into consideration when they're placing their votes." But Mukhtar has his sights set on an even bigger prize. "He says, 'Enjoy the three days off, but everyone needs to come back ready and hungry,'" Maher said. "He goes, 'December 18th, that's when everyone can celebrate. Not a day before.'" WATCH: Sam Surridge powers Nashville SC to points record