Nashville SC 2026 Season Preview

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Major League Soccer

·16 février 2026

By MLSsoccer staff

Nashville SC have momentum after the 2025 season and seem poised to keep ascending.

Vidéos OneFootball

The main reason? The 2025 US Open Cup champions landed arguably the top MLS free agent this winter in Cristian Espinoza, who previously starred for the San Jose Earthquakes. He joins Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge as Designated Players.

Led by head coach B.J. Callaghan, Nashville are a popular preseason contender pick.

Cristian Espinoza: The dynamic playmaker and two-time MLS All-Star was a marquee free agent. He produced 36g/83a in 218 regular-season matches with San Jose.
Warren Madrigal: The Costa Rican international forward arrives from Deportivo Saprissa, giving depth to Nashville's attack.
Maxwell Woledzi: The Ghanaian helps fill a need at center back, arriving from Norwegian top-flight side Fredrikstad FK.

STRUCK GOLD ⛏️ ️ CRISTIAN ESPINOZA IS OUR NEWEST DESIGNATED PLAYER ⭐️
– vendredi 9 janvier 2026

Gastón Brugman: The veteran Uruguayan midfielder has signed with Pescara in Italy’s Serie B.
Jonathan Pérez: Pérez was transferred to LIGA MX side Chivas de Guadalajara for a club-record fee.
Jacob Shaffelburg: The Canadian forward was traded to LAFC after three seasons in Music City.
Walker Zimmerman: The two-time MLS Defender of the Year signed with Toronto FC in free agency. Zimmerman made 172 appearances with Nashville.