B.J. Callaghan believes that while Nashville SC's Champions Cup exit is a setback, the team will be better for it across the rest of their MLS season. 

Nashville were eliminated by Tigres UANL following a 1-0 defeat in the second leg in midweek, which sealed a 2-0 triumph on aggregate for the Liga MX giants. 

It was a historic run by Callaghan's side, who became the first MLS team to beat Club America at the iconic Azteca Stadium, but they were unable to go one step further.  

Attention now returns to league action, with the Eastern Conference leaders looking to bounce back against a D.C. United side who have picked up form under Rene Weiler. 

While Callaghan said the overriding feeling following their defeat to Tigres was one of disappointment, he is confident that his team will come back even stronger. 

"There is pain in the team, there is anger," Callaghan said. "It's not the result that we wanted to get. But at the same time, when you set out these big ambitious goals like we did as a club, you inherently understand that setbacks can be a part of that. 

"I think what we learned from this team is that they are going to compete to the end, they are going to compete for each other, and I think throughout the tournament and the experiences that we had, it's a setback for us. 

"But I think when we come out of the other end, this team will have learned a lot, they will have grown, and we will be much more resilient than when we started."

D.C., meanwhile, are up to fifth in the East, having gone four games unbeaten in the MLS, with their last two results seeing them put together impressive back-to-back victories.

They beat New York City FC 2-0 at Citi Field last time out, with goals in either half from Louis Munteanu earning the club their fourth triumph of a much-improved campaign. 

And they are not stopping there, with the club confirming earlier this week that they had completed the signing of Portsmouth's Andre Dozzell through to the 2027-28 season. 

Dozzell made 80 appearances for Pompey after signing in 2024 from Queens Park Rangers. 

"This is a special club, with special supporters, staff and players – all of whom have made my time at Pompey unforgettable," Dozzell said. 

"I think that staying in the Championship has been a real achievement, and hopefully now is the time for the club to really push on.

"It was a privilege for me to represent Portsmouth, and I will continue to watch what happens closely. I wish nothing but the very best for everyone who is associated with the club."

Dozzell will add bite to the D.C. midfield as the club look to reach the MLS playoffs for the first time in seven years. 

"We are thrilled to be adding a central midfielder with Andre's quality and experience," said Dr. Erkut Sogut, D.C.'s managing director of soccer operations.

"Andre is a highly technical two-way player with great vision who does important work for his team for 90 minutes, and we are excited he has chosen to join our family."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville – Sam Surridge

Surridge has scored nine of Nashville's 16 home goals this season, scoring multiple goals in all four games at GEODIS Park.

The Englishman is the third player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight home appearances after Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Josef Martinez did so in 2019.

D.C. United – Louis Munteanu

Munteanu has scored in back-to-back matches, including netting both of D.C.'s goals in their victory last time out.

Only Ola Kamara (three times), Christian Benteke (twice) and Taxiarchis Fountas have scored in three straight matches for D.C. since the start of the 2019 season. 

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville have lost only two of 11 all-time meetings with D.C. (W6 D3), including winning each of the last two. Both of D.C.'s wins against the Coyotes came during the 2024 season, including a 4-3 victory on the road.

However, Callaghan's side have won 13 of their last 17 regular-season home matches (D2 L2), including each of their first four at home this season.

Nashville have also scored 16 goals in their first four home games of the season, the second-most in MLS history after Los Angeles Galaxy netted 18 goals in their first four home games in 1998.

But D.C. have lost only three of their last 11 away matches (W3 D5) dating back to mid-August last season, including scoring a 2-0 win at NYCFC last time out. However, they have not won consecutive away matches since victories at Nashville and New England to close the 2024 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville – 60.9%

Draw – 20.8%

D.C. United – 18.3%