Nashville SC put “ambitious goals” to test vs. UANL Tigers
They’re maybe not the flashiest facet, nor do they boast world-renowned superstars. But that does not trouble the Music City membership one bit.
They sit atop the Eastern Conference, they usually’re readying to host LIGA MX powerhouse Tigres UANL on Tuesday night for Leg 1 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals (8:30 pm ET | FS1, TUDN).
“We’re proud to be in the semifinal. We’re proud to call it a semifinal,” mentioned head coach BJ Callaghan.
“We know exactly what it’s about… But we don’t hide behind the fact that this is another step forward for the club and for this group, and we’re proud to be playing in a semifinal.”
Sustained success
When Callaghan took cost in July 2024, Nashville have been at a crossroads.
Fast ahead practically two years, and the outlook has utterly modified. Callaghan and Nashville have constructed one in all MLS’s strongest sides, led by their Designated Player trio of Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Cristian Espinoza.
“It’s very important that we find moments to pause and reflect on what we’re accomplishing, because that gives us confidence,” Callaghan mentioned.
“We started the preseason with ambitious goals, and I think when you set these sorts of goals within your team, it’s important that you, if you’ve achieved certain things, celebrate them, and also measure them.”
Callaghan has greater than paid again the membership’s belief in him, as properly. He led the Coyotes to their first-ever trophy final season, profitable the 2025 US Open Cup.
But Callaghan and Nashville don’t desire their {hardware} haul to cease at only one.
“We refocus right back to our baseline, which is we’ve got work to do, and go back to our process of preparing for the next opponent to put in the same type of consistent performance over a long season and multiple competitions,” Callaghan mentioned.
A protracted, arduous highway
Of the 4 groups remaining in CCC, Nashville’s journey to the semifinals has arguably been the hardest.
After a 7-0 mixture win over Canadian Premier League facet Atlético Ottawa in Round One, the Coyotes took down Lionel Messi and bogey staff Inter Miami CF within the Round of 16.
Next, they dispatched seven-time CCC champs Club América 1-0 on mixture, changing into the primary MLS facet ever to earn a victory on the famed Estadio Azteca within the course of.
This run has hardened an already battle-tested group and given them the idea that an illustrious regional title might be on the horizon.
“Going on the road internationally is going to be something that I think helps us,” said Callaghan. “I believe it is not a whole lot of us who do not have, possibly, the expertise of doing that, and we have at all times been in a position to go to form of acquainted territory… I believe these make your group much more resilient.
“I think those experiences have brought this group even closer together, even more than they are, but also even a little bit more resilient to be able to handle sort of any environment.”
That perception and resilience shall be put to the test in Leg 2, when Nashville and Tigres settle their collection on May 5 at Estadio Universitario.
“Tigres is very successful, and we’ve been very successful,” added Nashville’s coach. “So you are used to enjoying in huge video games in opposition to good opponents. That’s what occurs if you get to a semifinal, and you have got two elite groups.
“We all know that the game is going to be played at a high level, and it’s going to be decided by moments, and for us, it’s going to be about making sure that we capitalize on the moments.”