This MLS team just pulled off its best start ever and no one saw it coming | OneFootball

Nashville SC began the 2025 MLS season with an appearance that's generating buzz on and off the field. Led by head coach BJ Callaghan, who's in his first full season as head coach, the squad achieved a franchise record: taking 10 points from its opening five matches and winning three in a row — the best three-game start in franchise MLS history.

That performance was capped with a 3–0 win against CF Montréal on Saturday. Beyond the digits on the scoreboard, the victory also carried symbolic significance for a club still attempting to leave last season's non-appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs in the past.

The message of team over individual builds steam

BJ Callaghan emphasized that this strong beginning is a manifestation of something that's been built quietly behind the scenes with everybody in agreement. "This is a tremendous example of a super team win," claimed the coach. He did not want to miss this chance to drive home the shared objective: "When we're talking about team wins, opening in the finest manner possible in club history, it's good very well. I’d say this game represents what we’re trying to build, and getting the best start in the club’s history like this, with contributions from so many guys on the team, is a very rewarding feeling for the group.”

His message was brief. The coach values group performance, weekly adjustments, and the role each player serves within the system. There's no solo-star glow. There's trust in one another, a unit preparing to perform, no matter who's not there.

A mindset shift after 2024

One of the captains of the team, Walker Zimmerman, spoke of a big shift: the cultural shift following the heartbreak of last season. "I think that our culture had a very serious change," the defender explained on MLS 360. He noted how painful the playoff absence was but saw change in the manner in which the team responded.

"You never want to be able to say missing the playoffs is a good thing. But the level of practice that we got in BJ's playoff run, and how much time we were able to get to work on the little things in an environment that was still competitive. it was a fantastic opportunity for the guys to truly learn how BJ wanted to play."

The team behind this unit is now in view. The preseason, which was based on attention to detail, competition, and tactical assimilation, laid the foundation for this solid 2025 start.

Defensive renaissance as a determining factor

The other exceptional feature of Nashville's current phase is its defense. Having conceded 54 goals in 2024, a club record low, the defense was clearly revamped. So far, in five matches, the team has conceded just three goals. In league rankings, only St. Louis City SC (one goal), Austin FC, and San Diego FC (two goals each) have better records.

Callaghan answered that with honesty: "It's part of the identity that's here, and it's something very good, very strong, and something we want to continue developing." The coach also spoke of balance between attack efficiency and defensive solidity. "Goals are important. Shutouts are important too. Having that combination of both indicates, again, the team's performance. I'm very, very proud of this group."