BJ Callaghan: "We have to have responses"

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC went into Saturday's match against Chicago Fire FC looking to right the ship. The team was angry, frustrated by their 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders last weekend, a loss that motivated them during the week.

"I think we have to look back to look forward here with our team," head coach BJ Callaghan told media after the match. "We had a moment where we went out to Seattle. When we got done that game, we realized that it wasn't us. Those things happen, but we have to have responses."

Nashville responded by smashing seven goals past Chicago, coming just a single goal short of tying Major League Soccer's all-time record for the most goals scored in a match. It wasn't merely a response; it was one of the most dominant wins the league has seen in its 30-year history.

Sleep tight, Nashville 😴 pic.twitter.com/e2nM91r6a5

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) April 27, 2025

You'd think that Callaghan would take a moment to relax while watching the ball hit the back of the net seven times, or even to smile. But on the sideline, the first-time head coach was all business, immediately turning to his staff to discuss tactics and keep the momentum going.

"For me, I just try to stay focused in the moment on what's working, what do we need to improve," he smiled. "Maybe it's just my default, but as the goals are going in, I'm usually looking at the back line, trying to make sure that we're compact... The locker room is excited about the match, but we also think that we let up two goals."

Since arriving in Nashville, Callaghan has consistently preached orienting their preparation around process, not results. Performances are analyzed the same way, regardless of the score. It gives them a built-in way to avoid getting too low after the Seattle loss, and Callaghan says it will keep them from getting too high after the Chicago win.

"I thought tonight's performance was a strong performance, a strong response for us and, an opportunity again to play in front of our fans and compete against a good, a good Eastern Conference team. We'll turn the page early next week," he said. "... It's just about continuing to prepare each week for our opponent, home or away, trying to play our style or play home or away. We want to try to secure three points."

Callaghan versus Berhalter

Fans and media alike had this match circled. It was the first time that Callaghan and Gregg Berhalter had played against each other at any level, after Callaghan served as an assistant to Berhalter at the U.S. Men's National Team for several years, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Unsurprisingly, Callaghan never leaned into that angle.

"Tonight wasn't about Gregg versus BJ. It's always going to be Nashville versus Chicago," he said. "Every Eastern Conference game is a big match for us. And then we add on to that, we want to win every game at home."

Sam Surridge's breakout

Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge's four goals against the Fire were the most ever in a single game by a Nashville player. The Englishman led MLS in expected goals heading into the match, but missed chances from the penalty spot and open play meant that his output was somewhat disappointing.

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Callaghan, though, wasn't surprised by his stellar showing.

"Each week Sam puts in a really good shift, and we ask a lot out of our forwards with and without the ball," he said. "Maybe the goal scoring was slow to come. But he's been doing everything for us every match. And now tonight he was rewarded."

"But again, he's been putting himself in really good opportunities and we know if you continue to get good opportunities, it'll break for you and. Tonight he was the beneficiary of that."