Nashville SC Sets 7 MLS Records in Historic 2-0 Win Over FC Cincinnati

Nashville SC Sets 7 MLS Records in Historic 2-0 Win Over FC Cincinnati

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Nashville SC sets MLS records with dominant regular season finish

Nashville SC secured a historic conclusion to their 2026 campaign on Saturday, defeating FC Cincinnati 2-0 at TQL Stadium to cement a regular season that rewrote the Major League Soccer record books. According to a report from nashvillesc.com, the victory propelled the “Boys in Gold” to a league-leading 77 points and 23 wins, marks that establish new benchmarks for excellence in the MLS regular season.

The statistical dominance displayed by Nashville SC throughout the year is staggering. By the time the final whistle blew in Cincinnati, the club had established new league records for most wins (23), most points (77), highest points per game (2.26), best win percentage (79.4%), and the largest Supporters’ Shield points margin (13). Their defensive unit was equally historic, conceding only 25 goals all season—the fewest in MLS history—while tying the single-season record for clean sheets with 17.

The match itself remained a tense, scoreless stalemate for the first 60 minutes before Sam Surridge broke the deadlock. A Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate, Surridge found the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season, assisted by Andy Najar and Patrick Yazbek. Surridge effectively ended the contest in the 86th minute, netting a second goal of the match following assists from Yazbek and defender Josh Bauer to secure the 2-0 win.

Individual milestones and coaching records

While the team achievements were unprecedented, several individual performances reached legendary status during the Saturday afternoon matchup. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake, a candidate for both MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, recorded his 16th shutout of the season. This performance tied the single-season league record established by Tony Meola in 2000.

Goalkeeper brian schwake in action for morton during a cinch championship match between

On the sidelines, head coach B.J. Callaghan reached a milestone that places him at the top of the league’s coaching hierarchy. With Saturday’s victory, Callaghan earned his 42nd career regular season win, the most through 77 matches in MLS history. This surge in momentum has positioned him as a leading candidate for the MLS Coach of the Year award.

The following table summarizes the record-breaking metrics achieved by Nashville SC during the 2026 regular season:

Category Record Set/Tied
Regular Season Wins 23
Regular Season Points 77
Points Per Game 2.26
Win Percentage 79.4%
Fewest Losses 3
Fewest Goals Conceded 25
Clean Sheets (Tied) 17
Supporters’ Shield Margin 13 points

The road to the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs

Nashville SC’s success was not limited to home dominance; the club also set a franchise record for road performance, capturing eight wins on the road during the regular season. This ability to perform in hostile environments has been a cornerstone of their unbeaten run, as the team has gone unbeaten in 26 of its last 28 MLS matches.

Nashville SC Sets 7 MLS Records in Historic 2-0 Win Over FC Cincinnati

The focus now shifts from historical records to post-season hardware. Nashville SC is scheduled to begin its Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series at GEODIS Park on Sunday, Nov. 22. They will host the winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card round between FC Cincinnati and Orlando City SC. While the exact kickoff time is still to be determined, the stage is set for a high-stakes confrontation in Nashville.

The club enters the playoffs with significant momentum, having remained unbeaten in 38 of 45 matches across all competitions this season, including the MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup. As the postseason approaches, the question remains whether this record-breaking regular season can translate into a championship trophy.

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