NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In a season filled with promise, Nashville SC has kicked off their tenure under head coach B.J. Callaghan in exceptional fashion. With a commanding 3-0 victory over CF Montreal at GEODIS Park on March 22, the team has found themselves in their best start through five games in Major League Soccer history, amassing ten points and three consecutive wins.
The scoring spree for Nashville began in the 56th minute when Alex Muhl netted his first goal of the season, converting a pass from Sam Surridge. It not only marked the 23rd goal of his career but also represented an emotional moment for a player eager to contribute. "It was a good feeling," Muhl expressed, highlighting the team spirit driving their success.
Six minutes later, Josh Bauer doubled the lead with his first career goal in MLS. Bauer's moment came in his 39th appearance, with Walker Zimmerman assisting him—Zimmerman’s second of the season—in a season where contributing to the scoreline has become collaborative in Nashville's game plan.
Completing the trio of goals, Jonathan Pérez capped off the scoring in the 67th minute, courtesy of an assist from Hany Mukhtar. For Pérez, the goal was significant: it marked his first career goal in just 25 appearances. Mukhtar’s assist also distinguished itself as his 50th in a Nashville shirt, an impressive milestone in his journey with the club.
Defensively, Joe Willis stood stout in goal, stopping three shots on the night and recording his third clean sheet in five outings this season. Willis has become a linchpin for the team, leading to a staggering total of 52 of 70 career shutouts coming with Nashville, providing both stability and leadership.
In a feat of consistent performance, Nashville not only overwhelmed CF Montreal but also established records as they improved to 4-0-2 at home against the Canadian side. Interestingly, Montreal is in the midst of a challenging seven-match road trip to kick off their own season, a start many would consider daunting.
Reflecting on the broader montage of the MLS season, coach Callaghan emphasized that the victory embodies their collective ethos. "This is a really good example of a big team win," he said post-match. "To earn the best start in club history this way and with contributions from a lot of guys across the team is a really rewarding feeling for the group."
The triumph against Montreal comes on the heels of a statement game against the Philadelphia Union, which significantly boosted Nashville’s momentum. Center back Walker Zimmerman noted about the team's transformation: "I think our culture has had a real serious shift. You never want to say that it could be a good thing to miss the playoffs. But the quality of training that we got to have with B.J. postseason... it was a really good chance for guys to really learn the way that B.J. wanted to play."
Nashville SC faced issues with player availability, notably missing two key players, Andy Najar and Jacob Shaffelburg, who were on international duty. Compounding this situation was the last-minute absence of winger Ahmed Qasem, who fell ill just hours before the game. In a testament to their depth, others stepped up in the absence of seasoned contributors.
"It’s just a tremendous level of professionalism that the whole group has. They’re always prepared, and they prepare daily for when your opportunity comes," Callaghan noted, showcasing the adaptive mentality of the players.
In particular, Josh Bauer’s integration into the lineup proved vital. He echoed Callaghan’s sentiment, stating, "And we always talk about next man up, next man up. It’s something we’re prepared for, and I think everyone has full confidence. Those guys that are coming in definitely felt prepared. I felt like I was ready for the opportunity." This ethos has been central to their effectiveness as a squad.
Defensive solidity has also been a highlight for Nashville. After enduring a tumultuous previous season that saw them concede a club-worst 54 goals in 2024, the team this year has reinvigorated their approach at the back, allowing only three goals so far—placing them among the league's elite in terms of goals conceded.
Callaghan pointed out, "Goals are important. Shutouts are also important. To have that combination of both shows the team performance... I’m just really, really proud of this group." This revitalization on both ends of the pitch is a tall order but a necessary foundation for their ambitions moving forward.
And the journey is far from over, with Nashville poised next to host FC Cincinnati on March 29, while their counterparts from Montreal will engage with the Chicago Fire the same day. They will aim to continue building on this extraordinary start, further asserting their presence in the league.
