Nashville SC’s 2026 Leagues Cup run came to an end Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss to CF Monterrey at GEODIS Park, leaving the club outside the top four in Phase One standings and out of Quarterfinal contention. Ahmed Qasem scored just 21 seconds into the match — the fastest goal in Nashville SC history — but it wasn’t enough as Monterrey rallied for two second-half goals to take the win. More Sports News
Ahmed Qasem Sets Nashville SC Speed Record
Qasem’s opener at the 21-second mark bested the previous club record by 35 seconds, a mark set by Dominique Badji against Atlanta United FC during Nashville’s inaugural 2020 MLS season. The goal also ranks as the second fastest in Leagues Cup history. It was Qasem’s third goal of the season across all competitions.
How the Match Unfolded
Nashville held its 1-0 lead into the second half before CF Monterrey equalized in the 52nd minute through Orbelin Pineda, assisted by Diego Rossi. Monterrey then secured the win in stoppage time when Hugo Cuypers converted an assist from Lucas Ocampos in the 90+2 minute. Goalkeeper Xavier Valdez made three saves in the defeat.
Nashville SC’s 2026 Leagues Cup Record
Nashville finished the Leagues Cup group stage at 1W-2L-0D with three points, while Monterrey advanced at 2W-1L-0D with six points. Across all-time Leagues Cup play, Nashville SC now holds a 4W-4L-4D record in the tournament.
Nashville SC’s Overall 2026 Season Standing
Despite the Leagues Cup exit, Nashville SC remains in strong form across competitions. The club holds a 16W-6L-7D record across all 2026 competitions — MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup combined — and has gone unbeaten in 24 of 29 matches this season. At GEODIS Park specifically, Nashville is 10W-3L-3D in 2026 with a plus-21 goal differential.
Nashville SC Returns to MLS Action
The club now shifts focus back to the regular season, where it leads the MLS standings at 12W-2L-4D with 40 points. Nashville hosts second-place Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. CT, the first of three matches in an eight-day stretch.
Match Details: Nashville SC vs. CF Monterrey
Date: Aug. 12, 2026
Venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee
Final Score: Nashville SC 1, CF Monterrey 2
Scoring summary:
- NSH: Ahmed Qasem (1′)
- MTY: Orbelin Pineda (A: Diego Rossi) (52′)
- MTY: Hugo Cuypers (A: Lucas Ocampos) (90’+2)
Discipline:
- MTY: Jorge Rodríguez – Caution (23′)
- NSH: Alex Muyl – Caution (43′)
- NSH: Jack Maher – Caution (81′)
NSH starters: Xavier Valdez; Josh Bauer, Jack Maher, Thomas Williams, Reed Baker-Whiting (Dan Lovitz 46′); Alex Muyl (Elias Saad 64′), Bryan Acosta, Ahmed Qasem (Julian Gaines 83′), Charles-Emile Brunet; Hany Mukhtar (C) (Jordan Knight 46′), Shak Mohammed (Sam Surridge 64′)
NSH substitutes: Brian Schwake, Joe Willis, Cristian Espinoza, Matthew Corcoran, Eddi Tagseth, Famara Camara, Chris Applewhite
MTY starters: Luis Cardenas; Victor Guzman, Daniel Aceves, Fidel Ambriz (Cesar Ramos 78′); Lucas Ocampos, Oliver Torres (Luca Orellano 58′), Diego Rossi, Jesus Corona (C) (Iker Fimbres 69′), Orbelin Pineda (Robert de la Rosa 69′), Jorge Rodríguez (Ricardo Chavez 58′); Hugo Cuypers
MTY substitutes: Santiago Lomelin, Gerardo Arteaga, Cesar Garza, Luis Reyes, Cesar Bustos, Omar Galvez, Aldo De Nigris
Source: Nashville SC
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