Nashville SC clinch Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

Nashville SC are in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, having clinched their spot with a 3-0 home win over Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night.

With eight regular-season matches left, the Coyotes lead the Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference tables by a sizable margin (57 points; 17W-3L-6D).

After lifting the club's first-ever trophy as 2025 US Open Cup champions, Nashville hope to claim silverware for a second consecutive season under head coach B.J. Callaghan.

Nashville are also chasing the MLS single-season points record of 74, set by Inter Miami CF in 2024. They've made the playoffs in six of seven seasons as a club.

Star players

Nashville boast arguably the league's strongest Designated Player trio, which has combined for 51 goal contributions. 

Star striker Sam Surridge (16g/1a) is in the thick of the Golden Boot presented by Audi race; former Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar (11g/7a) is the club's leading goal contributor; and blockbuster offseason signing Cristian Espinoza (4g/12a) has hit the ground running.

Nashville have also conceded the fewest goals in MLS this season (21), with defender Andy Nájar and goalkeeper Brian Schwake joining Mukhtar and Surridge as 2026 MLS All-Stars.

Will Nashville's stars guide them to their first MLS Cup presented by Audi appearance? The club's previous best finish was in 2020 and 2021, when they reached the Conference Semifinals.

HIGHLIGHTS: Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire FC | September 19, 2026

Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs

MLS Cup presented by Audi will be played Dec. 18, while the playoffs begin Nov. 7 with Wild Card matches.

All games can be viewed on Apple TV.