“Nashville are a really good team,” Bradley said in response to Bolavip. “Obviously, by a lot of standards, you would say they’ve been the best team in the league so far this year. And so we’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against them.“

Nashville displayed a dominant performance on Saturday, handing Miami a 4-1 defeat to increase the gap with Messi and company to five points in the East.

“You know, obviously Miami is another really good team. That was a big match, and I thought on the night Nashville put a lot into it and really made the game hard for Miami,” Bradley added.

Bradley admires Nashville’s style of play

With 43 points in 19 games (W13, D4, L2), Nashville is also in pole position for the Supporters’ Shield title. Bradley is a big admirer of what B.J. Callaghan is doing in the Music City.

“I think Nashville’s football ideas, in terms of having guys in the center of the field, in between the lines, the understanding between their attacking players of how to be fluid and how to balance who wants the ball to their feet and who’s running deep and then how that gets complemented by fullbacks moving into the attack. I think that part is all pretty interesting,” Bradley said.

“So we’re going to continue to look really closely at them, make sure that our players are prepared in the best possible way, and be ready as always when the whistle blows to go after them and to go after the game in a really strong, aggressive way.“

Adri Mehmeti highlights veteran support for Red Bulls’ youngsters

Bradley, who was promoted this year after leading the reserve team to glory in the 2025 MLS Next Pro season, has been working with many young players making their first steps at the pro level.

17-year-old Adri Mehmeti, for instance, has been a sensation for the Red Bulls with one goal and three assists in 18 MLS games in 2026. When asked by Bolavip about Bradley and the veteran leadership on the team, Mehmeti stressed how important the seasoned players are for the younger members of the squad.

“Support has been great from everybody,” Mehmeti said. “I mean, all the staff, all the experienced players. Emil (Forsberg), (Eric Maxim) Choupo-Moting, all the vets, Tim (Parker), Dylan (Nealis). You have a lot of guys that have been helping all of the younger guys this season in a really good way, giving us the confidence when we go into games. We don’t shy away and we just play our football. We play free, and it’s really good that they have our back in every way possible.“

Nashville currently occupy the top spot in the table with 40 points through 18 matchdays. However, Lionel Messi and company follow closely behind with 38 points, meaning a victory for the Herons in Nashville would elevate them to the top of the East.

A continental elimination left a bitter taste for Guillermo Hoyos’ squad. Now, the main objective is to remain near the top of MLS and reach peak form for the final stretch of the championship. A victory against Nashville would represent a statement win against one of their primary rivals for the top spot.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

Lionel Messi will start against Nashville SC. The Argentine put behind a difficult personal period that kept him off the pitch for several matches, returning as a substitute against Leon. Now with improved match fitness, Javier Hoyos is confirmed to return him to the starting XI for a crucial match in the fight for the MLS leadership.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Noah Allen, Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.

Nashville confirmed starting XI

B.J. Callaghan’s team must quickly shift focus back to domestic competition, where it has maintained a high-level campaign with few roster changes. The match against Inter Miami presents a direct opportunity to extend its lead at the top of the East to five points. The main challenge will be recovering energy following a demanding week against a direct rival.

Nashville confirmed lineup: Brian Schwake; Andy Najar, Jeisson Palacios, Maxwell Woledzi, Reed Baker-Whiting; Elias Saad, Matthew Corcoran, Sandvik Tagseth; Cristian Espinoza, Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar.

How to watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United in the USA

Apple TV will be the exclusive home for fans eager to watch this marquee showdown live from beginning to end.

This matchup will stream live only on Apple TV, where exclusive coverage brings every moment from kickoff to the final whistle.

Can I watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United for free?

Viewers across the United States can watch this match live on Apple TV, which is offering a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

The offer lets viewers enjoy the match at no initial cost before deciding whether to continue with a subscription after the free trial ends.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

With Atlanta United sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference on just 11 points, Nashville SC has a prime opportunity to strengthen its position at the top of the table.

However, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami applying pressure in the race for first place, Nashville know every point is crucial.

Atlanta will be desperate to spring a surprise and revive its season, adding even more intensity to this Eastern Conference showdown. Be sure to tune in and catch every minute of the action.

Nashville SC vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Nashville SC (4-3-3): Schwake; Najar, Palacios, Woledzi, Lovitz; Espinoza, Corcoran, Tagseth; Mukhtar, Surridge, Qasem.

Atlanta United (4-1-4-1): Hoyos; Jacob, Gregersen, Mihaj, Baez; Muyumba; Miranchuk, Fortune, Sanchez, Galarza; Latte Lath.

What time is the Nashville SC vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, July 17, at 8:10 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 8:10 PM
Central Time: 7:10 PM
Mountain Time: 6:10 PM
Pacific Time: 5:10 PM

[Watch Tigres UANL vs Nashville SC live in the USA on Fubo]

After earning a gritty 1-0 result in the first leg semifinal match, Tigres UANL return home with a slight edge in this tightly contested series, but there’s no room for overconfidence against a proven MLS side.

The narrow margin keeps the pressure on Tigres to stay sharp, while Nashville SC arrive knowing they’re still firmly in the fight, with just one goal capable of flipping the tie as they look to pull off a road comeback.

When will the Tigres UANL vs Nashville SC match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals between Tigres UANL and Nashville SC will be played this Tuesday, May 5 at 10:30 PM (ET).

Tigres UANL vs Nashville SC: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:30 PM
CT: 9:30 PM
MT: 8:30 PM
PT: 7:30 PM

How to watch Tigres UANL vs Nashville SC in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Tigres UANL and Nashville SC will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, TUDN, and ViX.

[Watch Nashville SC vs Tigres UANL live in the USA on Fubo]

Brace for a hard-fought clash as Nashville SC meet Tigres UANL in a series built on resilience. Nashville advanced by grinding past Inter Miami on away goals and edging Club America 1-0 on aggregate.

Meanwhile Tigres rallied from a 3-0 first-leg deficit against FC Cincinnati and then slipped by Seattle Sounders via away goals. With both sides thriving in tight situations, this is a matchup you won’t want to miss.

When will the Nashville SC vs Tigres UANL match be played?

This first leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals between Nashville SC and Tigres UANL will be played this Tuesday, April 28 at 8:30 PM (ET).

Nashville SC vs Tigres UANL: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:30 PM
CT: 7:30 PM
MT: 6:30 PM
PT: 5:30 PM

How to watch Nashville SC vs Tigres UANL in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Nashville SC and Tigres UANL will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, TUDN and ViX.

[Watch Club America vs Nashville SC live in the USA on Fubo]

After a tightly contested first leg ended in a scoreless draw, everything remains on the line heading into the decisive second matchup, with both sides still firmly in control of their own destiny. Club America now return home with a slight edge.

But there’s little room for complacency against a surging Nashville SC squad that has emerged as one of the top teams in MLS and is equally determined to punch its ticket to the semifinals in what shapes up to be a high-stakes showdown.

When will the Club America vs Nashville SC match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals between Club America and Nashville SC will be played this Tuesday, April 14 at 11:30 PM (ET).

Club America vs Nashville SC: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:30 PM
CT: 10:30 PM
MT: 9:30 PM
PT: 8:30 PM

How to watch Club America vs Nashville SC in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Club America and Nashville SC will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, TUDN and ViX.

[Watch Nashville SC vs Club America live in the USA on Fubo]

Nashville SC carries strong momentum into a high-stakes CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal clash against Liga MX powerhouse Club America, highlighted by a statement win over Inter Miami and a surge up the MLS Eastern Conference standings.

Meanwhile, Las Aguilas arrive battle-tested after a tough Round of 16 series against the Philadelphia Union, with their sights set on another deep run. With a semifinal berth on the line, this matchup promises intensity and drama—don’t miss it.

When will the Nashville SC vs Club America match be played?

This first leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals between Nashville SC and Club America will be played this Tuesday, April 7 at 8:00 PM (ET).

Nashville SC vs Club America: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Nashville SC vs Club America in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Nashville SC and Club America will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FS2, TUDN and ViX.

“It’s… you know, 900 goals is… Congratulations to him. He’s the best,” Callaghan said of Messi in response to Bolavip during his postgame press conference.

“When you play great teams and you play great players, the good thing is it brings out the best in yourself and the best in your team. And I thought that’s what we did tonight. You were able to see some of the best qualities that we were able to have,” Callaghan added.

“What we’re focused on is earning our way into the next round. We knew it was going to take tonight, and just, we’re a really proud group that was able to do that.”

Nashville upset Inter Miami after Messi’s 900th career goal

Nashville upset Inter Miami in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 on away goals, having snatched a 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. A week earlier, the first leg between Miami and Nashville at Geodis Park finished goalless.

It took an effort from Callaghan’s men, who started the return leg trailing 1-0 early in the game. Only seven minutes into the affair, Messi found the net to reach 900 goals in his career.

However, the Herons failed to increase their lead throughout the game, keeping Nashville well alive in the series. Eventually, it proved costly for Javier Mascherano’s team, as Cristian Espinoza made things level against Inter Miami with only 16 minutes remaining.

The equalizer was enough for Nashville to go through, breaking Inter Miami’s hearts in a night that looked promising but extended Messi’s continental club title drought.

He was surrounded by yellow jerseys. Not many players could ever get a shot off from that position, but Messi is unlike any other soccer player to walk this earth. As Messi unleashed a powerful, low-driven shot, everybody at Inter Miami CF Stadium knew there was no stopping that ball.

Now, Messi has finally reached the 900-goal mark. It looks like an almost impossible climb to the 1,000-club, but if Messi has accustomed fans to one thing: it’s to never say never.

The race for 1,000 goals is on

Messi can celebrate his accomplishment, but the next objective is clear. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both engaged in an electric race for the 1,000 goal mark in soccer history. Both have now cleared the 900-mark.

Although Messi joined this select club on March 18, 2026, and Cristiano Ronaldo did so on September 5, 2024, it actually took Ronaldo longer to reach 900 goals based on matches played. Messi accomplished the feat in 1,142 official outings, whereas Ronaldo did so in his 1,238th career game.

Messi and Ronaldo’s goal-per-game average

Although Messi can still add to his personal tally during Inter Miami’s home game against Nashville SC in the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, his goals-per-game average is still remarkable. As it stands, Messi averages 0.78 goals per game.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, has scored 961 goals in 1,309 games, per Transfermarkt. That makes for an average of 0.73 goals per game.

Inter Miami controlled large stretches of the match and created multiple chances to extend the lead, but inefficiency in front of goal proved costly. Nashville SC stayed resilient and capitalized on a chaotic play inside the box, with Cristian Espinoza scoring the equalizer that changed the course of the series.

With the match level and time running out, Inter Miami pushed forward with urgency but could not find the decisive goal. Nashville SC held firm in the closing minutes and secured progression, leaving Inter Miami out of the competition despite a historic night for Messi, who drew the ultimate praise from Nashville SC head coach B.J. Callaghan.

[Watch Inter Miami vs Nashville SC live in the USA on Fubo]

After the first leg finished in a tense 0–0 draw, everything remains up for grabs in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Inter Miami will host the decisive second leg and hope home support makes the difference.

However, Nashville SC has already proven it can compete with the tournament favorites. With Lionel Messi and company chasing a quarterfinal spot, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Inter Miami vs Nashville SC match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will be played this Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 PM (ET).

Inter Miami vs Nashville SC: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:00 PM
CT: 6:00 PM
MT: 5:00 PM
PT: 4:00 PM

How to watch Inter Miami vs Nashville SC in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, UniMás, TUDN and ViX.