GEODIS Preview: Nashville SC seeks hot start against New England Revolution in MLS opener

Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution

2026 MLS Regular Season | Matchday 1 

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m. CT 

GEODIS Park | Nashville, TN

Broadcast Details

Watch | Apple TV 

Listen | 104.5 The Zone 

Nashville SC returns to GEODIS Park for the first time in more than three months for its MLS regular-season opener looking to build on its 2-0 win midweek vs. Atlético Ottawa in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup. The Boys in Gold begin their campaign against the New England Revolution for the second-straight year, hoping to continue their five-year-long streak of never losing their opening match at GEODISPark.

Key Storylines

First taste of a new front line

Nashville made waves this offseason by signing perhaps the best free agent on offer in MLS: two-time All-Star Cristian Espinoza. The Argentine winger has terrorized opposing defenses ever since arriving stateside in 2019, using his incredible vision and wand of a right foot to rack up the second-most regular-season assists and fourth-most regular-season goal contributions in that span. His addition to Callaghan’s squad as its final Designated Player — Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar are the others — in January marked a serious statement of intent from the third-year head coach, handing the Boys in Gold arguably the most dangerous front line in MLS.

The connection between that trio sparkled immediately midweek against Ottawa, an encouraging sign of things to come this season. In the last minute of extra time, Mukhtar worked his way up the field before laying the ball off to Espinoza, who slid an inch-perfect pass across goal for Surridge to finish.

Callaghan will likely employ that trio across his forward line against New England, looking to open MLS play with a statement victory. Mukhtar, Espinoza and Surridge combined for 65 goals in 2025, and in less than 30 minutes off the bench Tuesday already grabbed their first of 2026. They may well grab their second — or more — Saturday, putting the league on red alert in the process.

Glimpses of the future

The rapid turnaround from Tuesday’s trip to Ontario to Saturday meant Callaghan opted to rotate his squad to ensure everyone stayed well-rested. While some club veterans — like Brian Schwake, Alex Muyl, Josh Bauer and Jack Maher — were included in Nashville’s initial XI, the bulk was comprised of young players looking to make a good impression. And impress they did. 

Nashville’s three-man forward line of Ahmed Qasem, Warren Madrigal and Woobens Pacius on Tuesday, combined for an average age just over 22 years old, with Qasem and Madrigal’s trickery on the wings helpingPacius wreak havoc (and score a goal) in the center of the pitch. 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup hero Schwake made history as the first goalkeeper in club history to win each of his first six starts. Matthew Corcoran continued his rise with a crafty display in midfield, supported by inaugural starts for Thomas Williams and Jordan Knight in defense.

The Boys in Gold made many roster changes this offseason, with a broad philosophy to replace veterans with rawer talents looking to prove their worth and build depth through youth. We saw glimpses of that Tuesday in Canada and may well see it again Saturday against New England, with the likes of 24-year-old center back Maxwell Woledzi, 22-year old midfielder Charles-Emile Brunet and 20-year old left back Reed Baker-Whiting, among others, yet to make their debuts. The future is bright with this group. 

Building for the big prizes

The Boys in Gold made 2025 a season to remember on multiple fronts, setting club records for goals scored and home wins alongside their inaugural U.S. Open Cup win. But Callaghan and the rest of the squad made clear this offseason that the triumphs of 2025 have not sated their appetites for 2026.

Nashville’s offseason additions befit a team looking to content for every prize on offer. Injections of serious starting XI quality — Espinoza and Woledzi chief among them — were supplemented by bunches of mercurial youngsters, creating a deep and spirited squad eager and able to compete on multiple fronts. 

With three competitions on deck, 2026 will be a gauntlet for the Boys in Gold. But with the successes of 2025 in the rearview and enough talent to weather any trials thrown their way, they believe 2026 can also be a season to be remember. That begins with three points Saturday. 

Series History + What's Next

Saturday marks the second year in a row Nashville opens its MLS regular season against New England, last year’s fixture a scoreless draw at GEODIS Park. The Boys in Gold are 3-3-5 all-time against their Eastern Conference foe, with the most recent meeting a 3-2 Nashville victory in June of last year courtesy of a Surridge hat trick. Surridge has five career goals in five appearances against New England. 

Nashville stays at home after Saturday’s match for the second leg of its Champions Cup first-round against Ottawa at 7:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, followed by its first MLS road game of the year at FC Dallas on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. CT.