Nashville SC fell for the the second time all season to an MLS foe, and for the first time since April 4, after Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Orlando City SC. NASHVILLE SC

After surviving consecutive 1-0 games against Atlanta United and Montreal, a single goal snapped Nashville SC’s unbeaten streak in MLS Saturday at Orlando City SC. 

Nashville received their second league loss this season – their first since April 4 at Chicago Fire FC – when Justin Ellis worked past Jack Maher and a crowd of defenders to find Tyrese Spicer, who sneaked a shot past Brian Schwake in the 71st minute for a 1-0 win.

“I thought the game looked more like us from start to finish,” Nashville coach BJ Callaghan told reporters postgame. “In the first half, I thought defensively we were solid. (Orlando City SC) did a really good job with how they set the team up, but I thought with the ball we were able to find some really good moments in getting into goal and controlling the game. 

“In the second half, it took a while for us to get going and had an ebb and flow. We had some control, (Orlando) had some control. We gave up the goal and then for the last bit of time we were able to keep the game in control and create some scoring chances. We know we have to get better in the final third with decision making and execution.”

The Boys in Gold had won five in a row and boasted a 10-game undefeated streak to control first place in the MLS Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings. 

In their three matches since returning from the World Cup break, they have largely struggled.

Atlanta outshot Nashville 6-3 in the first half and 12-9 for the game in their restart from the 44-day schedule pause. Shak Mohammed’s header in the 79th minute saved them from a draw against the East’s last-place team. 

Last Wednesday, facing four-win Montreal, Sam Surridge sprinted down a loose ball, drew a penalty in the 67th minute and converted the deciding kick for his first goal since April 25.

“The play that you saw Sam make tonight was indicative of his pressing all night. I mean, the guy was chasing everybody and winning balls and forcing balls along. It created opportunities for transition, and he got rewarded,” Callaghan said. 

“Good players, goal scorers, they have like a sixth sense. It’s almost like they can smell it there, and he kind of knew that that was a loose ball and thought he could beat the guy to it, and credit to him. When we talk about this team with (the) mentality of playing with intensity, that’s a shining example of what we wanna do because those little plays, they stack up. Sometimes (they) get you wins or they are the play that get you the win.”

Orlando City was the opposite. Nashville won 5-0 in late March over the Lions but lacked touches from its stars Saturday – producing just six shots, three on target, with 0.7 expected goals from it. 

Alex Muyl’s attempt from Andy Najar and Mohammed’s shot were their most significant chances, in the 42nd and 63rd minutes.

Surridge, Schwake, Najar and Hany Mukhtar return to play Wednesday in the MLS All-Star game. Nashville then travels to D.C. United on Saturday to try and avoid their first league losing streak of the season.

Baker-Whiting starts return to play

Reed Baker-Whiting played the first half of Huntsville City FC’s Saturday game against Orlando City B, signaling the Nashville SC defender may be nearing a return.

Baker-Whiting was one of three surprise scratches for Nashville coming out of the World Cup break with key offseason signing Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal. 

All three have been listed as out with lower body injuries. Midfielder Patrick Yazbek has also missed time since the CONCACAF Champions Cup. 

Coach BJ Callaghan has said that Baker-Whiting, Espinoza, Madrigal and Yazbek have varying timelines to return. Baker-Whiting was questionable before Saturday’s MLS game while the other three were marked as out on the availability report.

Baker-Whiting has made 10 MLS appearances, starting four, since Nashville traded for him from Seattle Sounders FC. 

Nashville SC announces signing of Camara

Nashville SC officially announced the signing of defensive midfielder Famara Camara on Monday.

Camara, 21, comes via transfer from Ranheim IL, which plays in Norway’s second division. He has made 40 appearances with the club since 2025 and internationally was part of Senegal’s U20 bronze-medal finish at the 2023 African Games.

“Famara is a talented midfielder who has the ability to impact games on both sides of the ball,” said Nashville SC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mike Jacobs. “He will join a talented midfield corps here in Nashville and complement that group really well.”

Camara is signed through June 2029 with an option through June 2030 pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.