Historical past, coach B.J. Callaghan stated after a preseason coaching session in January 2025, “provides you the shock absorbers for the long run.” It was Callaghan’s means of expressing the worth of expertise — when you do one thing as soon as, it is simpler to do it once more.
After an at Geodis Park on April 7 within the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal collection, Nashville has an opportunity to show that assertion true.
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Nashville reached the quarterfinals by in opposition to longtime rival Inter Miami. It performed Lionel Messi and the Herons to a scoreless draw at house within the first leg earlier than a 1-1 tie in Florida within the second leg, advancing on away objectives. NSC will go into the second leg in opposition to América, in Mexico Metropolis on April 14, in the very same state of affairs.
“One factor I find out about this crew is we take issues from the previous and we study from them,” stated midfielder Matthew Corcoran. “… We left the sport understanding we might have gotten just a little extra and needed just a little extra. However the good factor is there is a second recreation.”
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) shoots the ball by the legs of Membership America midfielder Rodrigo Dourado (17) in an try to attain throughout their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match at Geodis Park. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Poizner-Imagn Photographs
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) shoots the ball by the legs of Membership America midfielder Rodrigo Dourado (17) in an try to attain throughout their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match at Geodis Park. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Poizner-Imagn Photographs
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 07: Hany Mukhtar #10 of Nashville SC reacts to a play through the first half of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals in opposition to América at GEODIS Park on April 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photographs)
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 07: Reed Baker-Whiting #27 of Nashville SC heads the ball on web through the first half of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals in opposition to América at GEODIS Park on April 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photographs)
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 07: Cristian Espinoza #7 of Nashville SC reacts to a play through the first half of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals in opposition to Membership América at GEODIS Park on April 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photographs)
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC ahead Sam Surridge (9) seems to be to move the ball throughout their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match in opposition to Membership America at Geodis Park. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Poizner-Imagn Photographs
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Cristian Espinoza (7) drives the ball as Membership America defender Miguel Vazquez (32) approaches him throughout their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match at Geodis Park. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Poizner-Imagn Photographs
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Apr 7, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) dribbles the ball previous Membership America midfielder Erick Sanchez (28) throughout their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match at Geodis Park. Obligatory Credit score: Alan Poizner-Imagn Photographs
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 07: Cristian Espinoza #7 of Nashville SC reacts to a play through the first half of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals in opposition to Membership América at GEODIS Park on April 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photographs)
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Nashville SC vs Membership America images in CONCACAF Champions Cup
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 07: A basic view of Geodis Park previous to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals between Nashville SC and Membership América on April 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photographs)
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Simply as in leg 1 in opposition to Miami, Nashville was in all probability the higher crew in opposition to América, if solely by a hair. It had 56% possession and outshot the Liga MX facet 13-8 (although América had 4 photographs on purpose to NSC’s three). However neither crew created many apparent alternatives, which is why Callaghan thought the tie was a good outcome.
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“I believed Membership América was actually organized, not plenty of house in between the strains,” he stated. “We now have to proceed to seek out methods to disorganize the opponent. … In a match that is two legs, there’s all the time going to be just a little little bit of a cagey affair. I do not assume the expectation is that we will pile on objectives, however that does not excuse us from the truth that we have to create higher, larger high quality goal-scoring probabilities.”
Regardless of Nashville’s struggles in assault — it went scoreless for a second straight recreation, following a in MLS play on April 4 — its protection remained stout. Middle backs Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi mixed for seven clearances and gained 14 of their 19 duels in entrance for goalkeeper Brian Schwake, who made 4 saves. NSC hasn’t given up a number of objectives but in 2026.
Whereas América’s house stadium, Estadio Azteca, is likely one of the most difficult highway venues on this planet, Nashville has a vital benefit headed into the second leg because of its protection. Any tie of 1-1 or higher will see Nashville by to the semifinals.
“We now have the standard to get a purpose with the playmakers we now have,” stated Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting. “Giving ourselves a clear sheet all the time provides us a very good likelihood of profitable it doesn’t matter what.”
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That strategy has paid off for Nashville earlier than.