‘Special things can happen’ for Nashville as MLS record broken

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

BJ Callaghan says his Nashville SC players are convinced that “special things” can happen for them this season, after they made a piece of MLS history on Saturday.

Nashville have collected the most points by any team through 21 games of an MLS campaign, reaching 49 with an epic comeback victory over the Columbus Crew. 

The previous record was held jointly by the LA Galaxy in 1998, Los Angeles FC in 2019 and the New England Revolution in 2021, at 46 points from 21 matches (albeit the Galaxy’s start was achieved in the shoot-out era, with no draws).

Callaghan’s side were 2-1 down going into the 93rd minute at GEODIS Park, after Mohamed Farsi and Andre Gomes struck to flip the match on its head, following Hany Mukhtar’s opener.

However, Reed Baker-Whiting and Andy Najar scored two minutes and nine seconds apart in stoppage time to snatch the most dramatic of victories for Nashville, who are now 10 points clear of Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference.

“The group is a confident group,” said Callaghan. “Their confidence comes from doing the things that they say they want to do. 

“This group wants to go out and win every game. I know everybody wants to do that, but when you have the opportunity to do it, you have to show that you want to do it.

“I think when everybody plays with this selflessness and wants to see each guy and each team-mate shine, special things can happen.”

Music City. Best start ever in league history.  pic.twitter.com/pXk0riIaL3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 23, 2026

Also in the East, Orlando City climbed into the final wild-card spot as Antoine Griezmann’s first MLS brace secured a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, who had led at half-time through Dominik Marczuk’s goal.

Griezmann now has six goal involvements in nine appearances for Orlando across all competitions, and he has scored in three of the Lions’ four victories since his arrival from Atletico Madrid.

“He is a great example of what a great football player can be,” interim head coach Martin Perelman said. “We are extremely lucky to be able to count on him. 

“It is not easy to come to MLS, as a lot is asked of him, and he is doing well, but he is still human. He, too, needs time to adapt to the league.

“He is one of the best players in the history of the game. We need to enjoy him. We are required to enjoy being able to have him. It is an obligation.”

There were also a pair of five-goal showings on Saturday, as Minnesota United won 5-1 on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Vancouver Whitecaps thumped FC Dallas 5-0.

Vancouver’s victory – which included a brace for Brian White – restored them to the top of the Western Conference, two points clear of the Houston Dynamo with a game in hand.

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