With 24 Clean Sheets in the Bag, Schwake Aims to Make His Mark at Nashville SC | OneFootball

In their never-ending quest to level up the squad, Nashville SC pulled a wild card by bringing in Brian Schwake, a young American goalkeeper who’d been guarding the net for Spain’s second-division side CD Castellón.

With a contract inked through 2026 (and a clever option for 2027), Schwake’s walking into a tall order: challenging veteran Joe Willis, who’s been the undisputed starter for years. And yep, he’ll also have to battle another fresh face, Xavier Valdez, also signed during this preseason.

If you’ve never heard of Schwake, no worries, you're not alone. He kicked off his career playing one season at DePaul University before packing his bags for Scottish soccer, signing with Livingston FC back in 2020. And if you’re thinking he just warmed the bench and collected good locker room stories, think again. The guy rolled up his sleeves and racked up an impressive 24 clean sheets in 92 matches. Not too shabby for someone who bounced between different teams in Scotland’s lower leagues and later took his talents to Spain.

He’s got international experience, which you can’t sleep on, especially in a league like MLS, where the level of play keeps getting better every year. Plus, that competitive mindset he honed going up against Scottish and Spanish strikers could be a game-changer in a league that’s always evolving.

Nashville SC’s season kicks off on February 22 against the New England Revolution. The safe bet is that Joe Willis will get the starting nod for that opener, but Schwake will probably be revving his engines behind the scenes. It's a long season, and having depth in the lineup could be the difference between a championship contender and a team that fizzles out halfway through. Schwake might just turn out to be that quiet but crucial piece when the pressure’s on.

What stands out to me about this signing is the strategic vision behind it. It’s not about grabbing a big-name player just to make headlines. It’s about thinking long-term, betting on talent with international experience, and creating a healthy dose of competition.