No one knew what this season would have in store for Nashville, an unproven Manager in his second year, and some roster changes headed into this season.
Fighting for a playoff spot wouldn’t be a shock. No one saw this team as a true top contender in the East, but that is exactly what they have become. Nashville was a contender just two years ago until their quality fell off at the end of that season.
The top three in the East are the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and Columbus Crew, who own the top three seeds in the East since Inter Miami dropped to the back of the pack. Nashville has stepped up to these top teams and is knocking on the door.
BJ Callaghan, the rise of a new coach
BJ Callaghan is a name fans might know, he had a short stint as Manager of the USMNT in 2023 for the Nations League. USMNT was undefeated during Callaghan’s stint, which earned the first-time manager new opportunities in the MLS.
Callaghan jumped at the chance to manage Nashville, which was rebuilding their squad and stuck in a transformational period in the club.
After a down year, pundits predicted Nashville would improve, but be right on the line of making the playoffs. Callaghan had other plans with his squad as they had been consistent enough to hang around the top contenders of the league.
Callaghan is a players’ coach; they rally behind him and buy into his message to the team. His aggressive pressure has helped Nashville fix its goal-scoring issues by doubling up its possessions thanks to a high press.
Callaghan may not be considered a tactical genius like Wilfried Nancy but he has proved he knows the game and how to put his players in the right spots to find success.
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Improvements in play
This squad needed a new goal scoring option and new way to create quality chances in front of the net, something that has plagued them for years.
Former MLS layer of the year Hany Mukhtar has scored six goals in all competitions this season. he has been accompanied by forward Sam Surridge who has equaled Mukhtar in goals in the early season.
This team has a two headed monster, the question is will scoring production stay the same or fall off like it did on 2023. That year the teams form fell from a top team to surviving until the regular season ended.
If these two can continue their goal production and spread the love with their high press, which has proven to be successful so far this season.
Are they a true Contender in the East?
As we head into the Summer months of the season Nashville has future key matchups that demand a successful result in order to have a playoff draw favorable to them.
The difference between the fourth and fifth seed and anything below can dictate how this playoff run goes for Nashville. Playing Orlando City who is equal to this team is a winnable matchup, playing Philadelphia, Cincinnati or Columbus could end their playoff run before it gets started.
They are capable of an upset, They are not far off from the top of the East, the down side is everyone behind Nashville is within five points.
As good as this season has been for Nashville, their fate could change at any moment. Only three points separate them from Columbus; realistically, they could overtake the Crew and take a top three spot.
Despite that reality being just an arm’s reach away for Nashville, all signs point to them maintaining their position.
Nashville plays Orlando this weekend in the most highly anticipated match of the weekend. Though the game won’t make or break the season, it could dictate how the momentum both sides carry into the Summer.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO/Sipa USA
Recording Date 13.05.2025