BJ Callaghan insists Nashville SC still have "more work to do" after clinching up the MLS Supporters' Shield last time out.
Nashville still have 'more work to do' after clinching Supporters' Shield, says Callaghan
Nashville SC got their hands on the trophy at the weekend, but with history in their sights, BJ Callaghan is chasing a win in midweek.
Nashville won only the second title in the club's history thanks to their 2-0 win over CF Montreal last time out, following their 2025 U.S. Open Cup triumph.
Callaghan's side are now chasing history, with only five points needed from their final five games to record the highest-ever single-season points tally, and they have the Philadelphia Union next.
Despite achieving their goal, Callaghan is not ready to take his foot off the gas, wanting to take momentum into the playoffs.
"It's a huge step forward for the club and for the city," said Callaghan.
"We know that the consistency and the body of work all year is what we want, but it also validates that the work that we're doing is good work.
"We're constantly reflecting, refining what we're doing. It shows that body of work has occurred throughout the season. That's what that Supporters' Shield recognizes, the long-term season's body of work.
"And we know that we've got more work to do."
Philadelphia, meanwhile, lost for the first time since before the World Cup break last time out, suffering a 2-1 defeat to the New England Revolution.
They have all but confirmed their playoff place thanks to that 15-game unbeaten streak, which leaves them sixth in the Eastern Conference, but they will be without top goalscorer Milan Iloski for the clash with Nashville after he suffered a hamstring injury last time out.
"It doesn't seem like it's something that's a long-term thing, but he has a minor hamstring strain that he picked up at the end of the game," interim manager Ryan Richter said of Iloski, who has 19 league goals this term.
"He'll be out for sure for Nashville, and he'll be out for [FC Cincinnati]. And then we have to see how he progresses in the next few days to give the timeline of when he actually will be fully fit."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Sam Surridge
Sam Surridge scored the winning goal in Nashville's Supporters' Shield-clinching win on Saturday, just his fourth goal on the road this season.
His 14 goals at home this season are the most in MLS, one ahead of Petar Musa and team-mate Hany Mukhtar's 13.
Philadelphia Union – Cavan Sullivan
Cavan Sullivan has recorded a goal contribution in eight straight regular-season away matches (six goals, five assists) dating back to May.
Only eight players in MLS history have contributed to a goal in nine or more consecutive road matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE SC WIN
There have been just 17 total goals in 10 all-time regular-season meetings between Nashville and Philadelphia, with the last match ending in a scoreless draw.
There have been fewer than two goals scored in five of the 10 meetings, including a pair of scoreless draws.
But Nashville will want to win on the celebration of their Supporters' Shield win. They need just five points from their last three matches to set a new MLS single-season points record (Inter Miami – 74 in 2024).
The Union's 15-match regular-season unbeaten streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss at New England, Richter's first regular-season loss as Union head coach. It was the Union's first defeat since May 24 at Miami.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC – 49.2%
Draw – 25.5%
Philadelphia Union – 25.3%
