By Dylan Butler
Nashville SC have won the 2026 MLS Supporters' Shield, claiming the league's best regular-season record for the first time in club history following a 2-0 win at CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon.
Big picture
With their Shield capture during Matchday 32, Nashville have secured the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. Head coach B.J. Callaghan's side will enjoy home-field advantage at GEODIS Park through MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 18, should they reach the final.
Nashville will open their playoff campaign against the East Wild Card winner (No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed). The various Round One Best-of-3 Series will unfold from Friday, November 20 to Wednesday, December 2 (format and key dates).
Additionally, Nashville have qualified for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Chasing history
Nashville are pursuing the MLS single-season points record of 74, set by Inter Miami CF in 2024. They have three regular-season games left to rewrite the record books (70 points; 21W-3L-7D record).
Nashville were the first club to clinch a playoff spot this year, doing so in mid-September. Additionally, Callaghan led the Coyotes to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals this past spring.
In his second full season, Callaghan continues to add to Nashville's trophy case. They previously won the 2025 US Open Cup for the club's first-ever title.
Designated for greatness
Nashville have leaned on their Designated Player trio, who have combined for 63 goal contributions.
Star striker Sam Surridge (18g/2a) is again in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race; former Landon Donovan MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar (17g/8a) leads the club in goal contributions; and blockbuster offseason signing Cristian Espinoza (4g/14a) has hit the ground running.
Led by USMNT goalkeeper Brian Schwake and defender Andy Nájar, who joined Mukhtar and Surridge as 2026 MLS All-Stars, the Coyotes have conceded the fewest goals in MLS this season (23).
Supporters' Shield winners
Nashville are one of 18 clubs in Major League Soccer's 31 seasons to win the Supporters' Shield.
Below are all Supporters' Shield winners since the league's inaugural campaign in 1996.
- 2026: Nashville SC - 70 points (2.26 ppg)
- 2025: Philadelphia Union - 66 points (1.94 ppg)
- 2024: Inter Miami CF - 74 points (2.18 ppg)
- 2023: FC Cincinnati - 69 points (2.03 ppg)
- 2022: LAFC - 67 points (1.97 ppg)
- 2021: New England Revolution - 73 points (2.15 ppg)
- 2020: Philadelphia Union - 47 points (2.04 ppg)
- 2019: LAFC - 72 points (2.12 ppg)
- 2018: Red Bull New York - 71 points (2.09 ppg)
- 2017: Toronto FC - 69 points (2.03 ppg)
- 2016: FC Dallas - 60 points (1.76 ppg)
- 2015: Red Bull New York - 60 points (1.76 ppg)
- 2014: Seattle Sounders FC - 64 points (1.88 ppg)
- 2013: Red Bull New York - 59 points (1.74 ppg)
- 2012: San Jose Earthquakes - 66 points (1.94 ppg)
- 2011: LA Galaxy - 67 points (1.97 ppg)
- 2010: LA Galaxy - 59 points (1.97 ppg)
- 2009: Columbus Crew - 49 points (1.63 ppg)
- 2008: Columbus Crew - 57 points (1.90 ppg)
- 2007: D.C. United - 55 points (1.83 ppg)
- 2006: D.C. United - 55 points (1.72 ppg)
- 2005: San Jose Earthquakes - 64 points (2.00 ppg)
- 2004: Columbus Crew - 49 points (1.63 ppg)
- 2003: Chicago Fire FC - 53 points (1.77 ppg)
- 2002: LA Galaxy - 51 points (1.82 ppg)
- 2001: Miami Fusion - 53 points (2.04 ppg)
- 2000: Kansas City Wizards - 57 points (1.78 ppg)
- 1999: D.C. United - 57 points (1.78 ppg)
- 1998: LA Galaxy - 68 points (2.12 ppg)
- 1997: D.C. United - 55 points (1.72 ppg)
- 1996: Tampa Bay Mutiny - 58 points (1.81 ppg)