Nashville SC Secures Spot in 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs

SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 23: Nashville SC starting XI huddle during a game between Nashville SC and San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on August 23, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 23: Nashville SC starting XI huddle during a game between Nashville SC and San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on August 23, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /
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Nashville SC is celebrating its achievement of securing a spot in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup playoffs, marking the team’s fourth consecutive participation in the postseason since joining Major League Soccer (MLS) as an expansion team in 2020.

Currently sitting in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings after 35 rounds, Nashville SC is determined to clinch a top-four spot to ensure home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. With the regular season drawing to a close on October 21st, the team is laser-focused on attaining this goal and surpassing its previous playoff performances.

Undoubtedly, the standout performer for Nashville this season has been Hany Mukhtar. The Germany-born player is in the running for the MLS MVP and the Golden Boot awards, both presented by Audi. With 15 goals and 10 assists in 30 matches, Mukhtar has been shining as the team’s number 10.

SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Brian Anunga #27 of Nashville SC controls the ball during a game between Nashville SC and San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on September 23, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
SAN JOSE, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Brian Anunga #27 of Nashville SC controls the ball during a game between Nashville SC and San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on September 23, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

In addition to Mukhtar, Nashville SC boasts other prominent players, including U.S. international defender Walker Zimmerman and striker Sam Surridge, who joined the team from Premier League’s Nottingham Forest during the summer. Goalkeeper Joe Willis leads the league’s best defense, having conceded only 28 goals thus far, while Shaq Moore and Daniel Lovitz play pivotal roles in the team’s defense.

The 2023 Audi MLS Cup playoffs are scheduled to kick off on October 25th and 26th, featuring Wild Card matches involving teams ranked 8th and 9th in each conference. Teams ranked from 1st to 7th place in each conference will advance to the Best-of-3 First Round series. The grand finale of the MLS Cup, presented by Audi, is set for December 9th.

Fans of Nashville SC and MLS can catch all the action of this thrilling postseason through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. While the Nashville Coyotes aim to go beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals, the city is filled with anticipation and hopes that this season might be the one that leads them to glory in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup.