Nashville SC become 6th MLS expansion team to qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs in debut season

Randall Leal - Nashville SC - hugging goal celebration

Nashville SC joined the short list of MLS expansion teams to make the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season in the league.


They officially clinched their spot thanks to a combination of results in Week 21 which came one day after they beat the Montreal Impact 1-0


Here's the full list of six expansion teams to pull off the feat in their debut campaigns:


  • 2020: Nashville SC
  • 2018: LAFC
  • 2017: Atlanta United FC
  • 2009: Seattle Sounders FC
  • 1998: Chicago Fire, Miami Fusion


Nashville SC will next attempt to replicate the 1998 Fire, who won MLS Cup in their first year of existence. Here's how the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs will work.


The other 2020 expansion side, Inter Miami CF, are still in with a chance to join Nashville in the postseason. They occupy the final playoff spot in the East with two matches to play, but they lead D.C. United and the Chicago Fire on tiebreakers.