February 25 – Nashville are on a roll. Having beaten Atletico Ottawa last week in at TD Place Stadium in Canada, they then opened their MLS campaign with an impressive 4-1 hammering of the New England Revolution at Geodis Park.
In both matches Sam Surridge found the back of the net – once against Ottawa and twice against the Revolution. While Surridge has immediately hot his goalscoring stride, Ottawa are adjusting to life after their, and the CPL’s, leading scorer Sam Salter’s move to Sweden.
In a game they controlled from the start though never really busted wide open, Nashville ended up running out as 2-0 against Atletico Ottawa.
Haitian international Woobens Pacius opened the scoring on his debut before Surridge arrived to put the match beyond doubt in added time. Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinosa were also given game time.
Atlético Ottawa need to score at least two goals to force extra time at Geodis Park, while any Nashville goal would likely end Ottawa’s challenge. Ottawa don’t begin their season in earnest until early April.
It’s a tall task for the 2025 CPL champions. Nashville are the first MLS team that Atlético Ottawa have faced in their short club history.
“I think we need to have the mentality not just being here to compete,” said Atlético Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía before the first leg. “We need to play these matches to win. I think that when you enter the pitch, you should play 11 against 11.”
Nashville coach BJ Callaghan will be mindful of the Canadian challenge but really will be focused on the last 16 tie where they will meet Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Nashville SC vs Atleticp Ottawa second leg (agg. 2-0)