Nashville Soccer Club Leads MLS with Six 2026 Year-End Awards Finalists

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 12, 2026) – Supporters’ Shield winner Nashville Soccer Club, in conjunction with Major League Soccer, announced today a league-high six Boys in Gold are finalists for 2026 MLS Year-End Awards, with the winners scheduled to be announced during the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

• Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year: B.J. Callaghan  

• Landon Donovan MLS MVP: Hany Mukhtar 

• Defender of the Year: Andy Najar, Jeisson Palacios, Maxwell Woledzi

• MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: Brian Schwake

In his second full season, Callaghan led Nashville SC to its first Supporters' Shield and MLS records for wins (23), points (77), home wins (15), home points (47), fewest losses (3), points per game (2.26), win percentage (79.4), fewest goals conceded (25) and the largest Shield points margin (13). 

Team Captain and 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner Hany Mukhtar finished the regular season with the seventh most goals (17) and goal contributions (25) in MLS while appearing in all 34 of the club's matches during its historic, record-breaking season.  

Najar (three goals, 10 assists), Palacios (one goal, six assists) and Woledzi (played in all 34 matches with two goals and one assist) teamed up to help lead Nashville SC to the best defensive season in MLS history by conceding the fewest-ever goals at 25 and tying the league record for the most clean sheets in a single season with 17.  

First year starting goalkeeper Brian Schwake tied Tony Meola's 26-year-old record for the most shutouts in a single season with 16 and led all regular MLS keepers in wins (22), goals against average (0.76) and save percentage (78.4).  

Additionally, Mukhtar and Schwake are both up for Goal and Save of the Year. The MLS AT&T Goal of the Year (Vote Here) and MLS Save of the Year (Vote Here) will be decided by online voting at MLSsoccer.com. Voting opened on Monday, Nov. 9, and will close on Tuesday, Nov. 17. 

Following its historic regular season, Nashville SC will begin the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. CT when it hosts the winner of Nov. 19's Eastern Conference Wild Card Match between Orlando City SC and FC Cincinnati for Game 1 of its Round One Best-of-3 Series at GEODIS Park.  

Tickets for all Nashville SC Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs matches at GEODIS Park through the Eastern Conference Final are on sale now at nashvillesc.com/tickets.

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