Nashville SC head coach BJ Callaghan urged his aspect to proceed their ambition following their Champions Cup win over Membership America.
Hany Mukhtar’s aim secured a 1-0 win within the second leg, which was sufficient for Nashville to progress after a goalless first leg.
Nashville are additionally having fun with a robust begin to the 2026 MLS season, sitting prime of the Japanese Convention with 16 factors forward of their journey to Atlanta United.
They’ve misplaced simply one in all their seven league video games to this point (W5 D1), defeating in-from Charlotte FC of their final MLS match.
Callaghan believes each their MLS kind and development within the Champions Cup, the place they may face Tigres within the semi-final, will assist Nashville construct their very own legacy.
“Any time you play in opposition to a group that’s historic, with the historical past of Membership America, a group that’s elite on this area, these are the groups that we need to measure ourselves in opposition to,” stated Callaghan.
“We’re a younger membership, we’re an bold membership, and we’re writing our chapter seven right here.
“This might be one a part of that story as we proceed to advance via this match and proceed to attempt to construct our personal legacy as a membership, being a younger membership, however not shying away from being bold.”
How about this for a season to this point
5 objectives conceded in 13 video games
First within the Japanese Convention by 3 factors
First @MLS group ever to win at Estadio Azteca
@TheChampions semifinalists for the primary timeHOP ON THE HYPE TRAIN pic.twitter.com/0CKFgeV613
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) April 16, 2026
Atlanta, in the meantime, have endured a poor begin to the season, profitable simply 4 factors from their opening seven video games to go away them twelfth within the East.
They’ve gained only one league match this time period (D1 L5), shedding 1-0 final trip to the Chicago Hearth.
They did, nevertheless, acquire some momentum throughout the week after defeating Chattanooga 3-1 within the US Open Cup.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atlanta United – Matias Galarza
Matias Galarza gained all three tackles he tried for Atlanta in opposition to Chicago and is now eight-for-eight on tackles this season.
Galarza is one in all three gamers (Noah Allen 11/11 and Joaquin Valente 8/8) to aim eight or extra tackles this season with a 100-percent success fee.
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Mukhtar has 16 profession aim contributions in opposition to Atlanta in all competitions (eight objectives, eight assists), tied with Lucho Acosta for essentially the most in opposition to the 5 Stripes.
Mukhtar has been concerned in no less than one aim in 10 of his 14 all-time matches in opposition to Atlanta.
MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN
Nashville are off to the very best begin in membership historical past with 16 factors from their first seven matches (W5 D1 L1), 5 greater than they’ve had at this level in any season earlier than.
Nashville have collected extra factors from their first seven matches this season (16) than they did of their closing 13 matches of 2025 (13 – W4 D1 L8).
Atlanta collected 4 factors in opposition to Nashville final season, together with a 1-0 win in Nashville on August 30.
Atlanta have been one in all simply 4 Japanese Convention groups (FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami, New York Metropolis FC) that Nashville have been unable to beat throughout the 2025 common season.
Over their first 4 regular-season residence matches this season, Atlanta have held 59.3 % possession, the fourth highest in residence matches in MLS this season.
The 5 Stripes have accomplished 525.8 passes per match at residence this season, the third highest in MLS.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta United – 24.9%
Draw – 23%
Nashville SC – 52.1%
