Final Notes: Nashville SC vs. Atlético Ottawa (5-0)

The train keeps rolling.

Nashville SC cruised into the Concacaf Champions Cup last 16 on Tuesday night against Atlético Ottawa, trouncing the reigning Canadian Premier League champions 5-0 at GEODIS Park and 7-0 on aggregate. The Boys in Gold dominated the match from start to finish on both ends of the pitch, helping them achieve their best-ever start to a season and inspiring confidence for a deep run in the competition.

Here’s what we learned. 

Fabulous Five

Nashville only needed a draw to advance on Tuesday. Even a one-goal loss would have done. But rather than rest and play not to lose, the Boys in Gold took the game to Ottawa from the jump, employing a relentless press that enabled them to keep their foes on the back foot. The aggressive approach culminated in five goals for Nashville, each the product of a different player’s individual brilliance.

Alex Muyl, Nashville’s appearance record-holder in the Champions Cup, got things started in the 21st minute with a close-range finish off a deflected Woobens Pacius header. Jordan Knight netted his first goal for the club in the 36th minute with a rifled shot from the right flank. Pacius got a goal of his own within 10 minutes of the second-half restart, while Jack Maher and Ahmed Qasem scored for the first time this season with a bullet header off a Bryan Acosta free kick and clever bit of interchange with Shak Mohammed, respectively. Acosta and Mohammed each grabbed their first assist for the club in the win, as did left-back Reed Baker-Whiting in his Nashville debut.

Such an even distribution of offensive production bodes well for a Nashville team looking to compete on three fronts this season, with rotation necessary to keep legs fresh. The Boys in Gold showed Tuesday that they can threaten in attack no matter their lineup and possess a squad full of individuals who can seize control of a game when required. 

Corcoran the creative

Matthew Corcoran has long been heralded as a rising star among this Nashville group for his mature displays at the base of midfield. The 20-year-old was an integral piece of Nashville’s upset win against Inter Miami in the second match of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, dictating play and hounding the opposition with his tireless running and supreme close-control ability. But perhaps his best and most underrated trait is his passing, which was on full display against Ottawa.

Although he was only credited with one assist, the Dallas native was responsible for both of his team’s first two goals Tuesday. He won the ball on the near touchline and lofted an inch-perfect pass to Pacius, whose header bounced off the post and onto Muyl’s foot for Nashville’s opener. His pass for the second goal was even more spectacular, sweeping a curled pass over the Ottawa defense with his right foot to find a wide-open Knight.

Nashville’s midfield group is a strong bunch, stacked with able runners and clever passers. Corcoran looked as good as any of its options on Tuesday, and with his creative ability, the young American can continue to carve out a niche. 

A heavyweight clash awaits

All eyes focused on the top-right corner of the Champions Cup bracket when it was announced. Should Nashville get past Ottawa, a two-leg matchup with Inter Miami would await — yet another high-stakes occasion in the clubs’ budding rivalry. While Miami has had the leg-up in recent years, the Boys in Gold look more dangerous and more capable of bouncing the reigning MLS Cup champion than they ever have.

Nashville has scored 11 goals in three games this season, a club-record, remains undefeated and has only surrendered one goal, a consolation in its MLS opener while up 3-0. The Boys in Gold have looked as good as anyone in 2026, with an opportunity to further prove their mettle against one of the continent’s best sides. 

GEODIS Park will be up for the occasion on March 11. Best believe the Boys in Gold will be too.