Nashville SC embarks on its most important continental journey yet this Tuesday when they travel to face Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa in the opening leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round One showdown. This two-legged tie, which concludes February 24th at Nashville's GEODIS Park, will determine which club advances to face Inter Miami CF in the tournament's Round of 16, with the aggregate winner earning a shot at regional glory and much more.
The significance of this matchup extends well beyond the immediate result. Victory in the Champions Cup carries the ultimate prize of automatic qualification to both the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. These tournaments represent the pinnacle of club competition globally, where champions from each continent battle for supremacy. With nine MLS clubs vying for the crown this year and the final set for May 30th as a single, winner-take-all encounter, every early-round match carries enormous weight.
For Nashville SC, this marks their second appearance in the prestigious tournament, having first qualified after capturing the 2025 US Open Cup—the franchise's inaugural major trophy. That breakthrough moment validated years of careful roster construction and strategic planning. The lessons learned from their previous Champions Cup run, including managing travel fatigue and the unique pressures of knockout soccer, should serve them well against a hungry Canadian opponent making their debut on this stage.
Atlético Ottawa's presence here tells a remarkable story of rapid ascent. Founded just six years ago by LaLiga giants Atlético Madrid, the club claimed its first Canadian Premier League championship last season to earn this continental opportunity. Their journey from expansion startup to CPL champion to Champions Cup participant in such a short timeframe demonstrates exceptional organizational vision and execution. This match represents their chance to prove that Canadian clubs can compete credibly against MLS opposition.
The Mexican connection runs deep in Ottawa's DNA. Head coach Diego Mejía, who earned caps for Mexico during his playing career as a midfielder, has instilled a tactical discipline that reflects his footballing education. His influence is evident in Ottawa's methodical approach to both player recruitment and on-field strategy. The recent signings of Mexican talents Jonantán Villal, a youth international with significant upside, and Daniel Aguilar, a seasoned midfielder, further strengthen this Latin American identity while adding quality depth for the challenges ahead.
Rising Canadian star Noah Abatneh anchors Ottawa's defense from his center-back position. His first senior call-up to the Canadian Men's National Team in January underscores his rapid development and growing reputation across the continent. Tasked with containing Nashville's high-powered attack, Abatneh's performance could single-handedly shape the tie's outcome. His ability to read the game, win aerial duels, and organize the backline will be tested repeatedly over the two legs.
Nashville's offensive engine revolves around their elite Designated Player partnership of Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. The German creator and English finisher combined for an astounding 40 goals last regular season, representing nearly 70% of Nashville's total output. Mukhtar's ability to unlock defenses with incisive passes and dribbling wizardry has made him an MLS MVP candidate, while Surridge's movement and clinical finishing have established him as one of the league's most reliable strikers.
The winter addition of Argentine winger Cristian Espinoza as a third Designated Player has elevated Nashville's championship credentials. His tenure at San Jose Earthquakes showcased his capacity to create chances from wide areas and deliver precise service into the box. When combined with Mukhtar's central creativity and Surridge's finishing, Espinoza gives Nashville a three-headed attacking monster that few defenses can contain. This offensive firepower makes them legitimate contenders for multiple trophies in 2026.
The first leg in Ottawa presents numerous obstacles for Nashville. Beyond the obvious challenge of facing a confident champion in their home stadium, the February climate and playing surface require adaptation. Early-season fitness levels will be tested, and the mental fortitude needed to secure a positive road result cannot be understated. Nashville's veterans must draw upon their previous Champions Cup experience to guide younger teammates through these unique pressures.
From Ottawa's perspective, this fixture offers a platform to validate the Canadian Premier League's improving quality. While MLS maintains financial and structural advantages, CPL clubs have repeatedly shown they can compete through tactical sophistication and collective effort. Ottawa's Spanish ownership provides access to advanced scouting, training methodologies, and potential player loans that narrow the gap with American clubs. Their performance against Nashville will be scrutinized as a barometer for the league's overall health.
Tactically, the chess match between Mejía and Nashville's Gary Smith promises fascination. Mejía may deploy a compact defensive block designed to frustrate Nashville's possession dominance, springing quick counters through Villal's pace and Aguilar's distribution. Smith, conversely, will likely emphasize controlled buildup play, using Mukhtar as the focal point to unlock Ottawa's organized defense. The battle in midfield, where Espinoza's width meets Ottawa's central compactness, could prove decisive.
GEODIS Park's atmosphere for the second leg will undoubtedly provide Nashville with a significant boost. The club's supporters have cultivated a reputation for creating one of MLS's most intimidating environments, with coordinated chants and unwavering energy that often spur the team to elevated performance levels. The aggregate format means Tuesday's result will heavily influence each side's tactical approach in the return match—a comfortable Nashville lead would allow them to control tempo, while a close scoreline keeps Ottawa's hopes alive.
The prospect of facing Inter Miami CF adds another layer of motivation. A Round of 16 clash against Lionel Messi's side would generate enormous media attention, ticket revenue, and prestige. More importantly, it would bring Nashville or Ottawa within three rounds of the final and those coveted Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup spots. The chance to potentially face European giants like Real Madrid or Manchester City on the world stage represents the ultimate dream for any CONCACAF club.
Nashville's roster building clearly prioritizes continental success. The Espinoza signing, combined with retaining Mukhtar and Surridge, demonstrates ambition that extends beyond MLS regular-season performance. Their US Open Cup triumph proved they can navigate knockout pressure, and the club now aims to translate that success to the regional level. The front office has constructed a squad specifically designed for multi-competition excellence.
For the Canadian Premier League, Ottawa's participation is a point of pride. The league's relatively modest budgets compared to MLS make their clubs' achievements all the more impressive. Ottawa's ability to attract Mexican talent like Villal and Aguilar while developing domestic stars like Abatneh showcases a sustainable model that could inspire other CPL franchises. Their Champions Cup performance will influence future league expansion and investment decisions.
As the opening whistle approaches, both clubs fine-tune their preparations. Nashville's preseason training has undoubtedly focused on building fitness while integrating Espinoza into their tactical framework. Ottawa, meanwhile, balances Champions Cup ambition with their upcoming CPL title defense, requiring careful squad rotation and player management. The psychological aspect of making a continental debut versus returning with experience creates an interesting dynamic.
Over the two legs, the club that better manages game states, capitalizes on key moments, and maintains composure under pressure will advance. Nashville's star power and MLS experience make them favorites, but Ottawa's tactical organization, home advantage, and underdog spirit could easily produce an upset. The aggregate format ensures that one moment of brilliance or one defensive lapse could swing the entire tie.
The winner will join fifteen other clubs in the knockout rounds, moving one step closer to lifting the Champions Cup trophy in May. For Nashville, it's about building on recent success and establishing themselves as a perennial continental contender. For Ottawa, it's about announcing their arrival on the bigger stage and proving the CPL belongs in these conversations. Tuesday's first leg is just the beginning of what promises to be a memorable chapter in both clubs' histories.