Nashville SC Wins U.S. Open Cup Final, Secures First Trophy in Club History

Oct. 1, 2025 will forever be a landmark date for Nashville SC. The club captured its first-ever piece of silverware by defeating Austin FC 2–1 in the U.S. Open Cup final, a milestone that also secured a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Hany Mukhtar gave Nashville the perfect start in the 17th minute, finishing off an assist from Jacob Shaffelburg. Just moments later, goalkeeper Brian Schwake—who was making a rare start—conceded a penalty after a foul inside the box. Schwake, however, redeemed himself with a crucial save, denying Myrto Uzuni’s attempt aimed at the bottom-right corner.

The match tightened in extra time when Uzuni struck to bring Austin level. But Nashville’s persistence paid off after Jeisson Palacios drew a foul from Dani Pereira in the box. Sam Surridge stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, blasting straight down the middle to seal the victory.

This triumph in the nation’s oldest soccer competition, which has been contested for 111 years, capped a remarkable run for Nashville. The tournament began with 96 clubs from all levels of the American soccer pyramid and culminated in a final featuring two first-time participants: Nashville SC and Austin FC.

Nashville’s road to the title included victories over the Chattanooga Red Wolves, Orlando City, D.C. United, and the Philadelphia Union. Despite enduring a rough MLS stretch—losing six of seven matches between July 25 and Sept. 20—the team rebounded, securing an MLS playoff berth with a 3–1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 27, just days before lifting the Cup.

Austin, meanwhile, had carved its own impressive path through the competition. Though a middle-of-the-pack MLS side this year, the club thrived under knockout pressure, knocking out El Paso Locomotive and Houston Dynamo before edging the San Jose Earthquakes on penalties in the quarterfinals and overcoming Minnesota United in extra time in the semis.

For Nashville, the U.S. Open Cup victory is more than just a first trophy—it’s a statement of arrival.

Austin FC and Nashville SC head into the U.S. Open Cup final at Q2 Stadium with everything to play for. For Austin, it’s the first cup final in club history, while Nashville aim to finally capture their first major trophy after falling short in the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Match basics & broadcast

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • 8:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas

TV / Broadcast: CBS Sports Network

Streaming / Digital: Paramount+

Pregame coverage: Begins at 7:00 p.m. ET

line ups

Austin FC (4-3-3): Stuver; Gallagher, Cascante, Hedges, Kolmanič; Pereira, Valencia, Driussi; Rigoni, Zardes, Rubio.

Nashville SC (4-2-3-1): Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Godoy, Davis; Muyl, Mukhtar, Shaffelburg; Surridge.

Austin are expected to set up in a 4-3-3 with Brad Stuver in goal; Jon Gallagher, Julio Cascante, Matt Hedges, and Žan Kolmanič in defense; Dani Pereira, Jhojan Valencia, and Sebastián Driussi in midfield; with Emiliano Rigoni, Gyasi Zardes, and Diego Rubio leading the attack. Nashville should counter in their familiar 4-2-3-1, lining up Joe Willis in goal; Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman, Jack Maher, and Dan Lovitz at the back; Aníbal Godoy and Sean Davis as the holding midfielders; Alex Muyl, Hany Mukhtar, and Jacob Shaffelburg in the attacking line; and Sam Surridge as the striker.

The final may hinge on several individual duels. Surridge’s finishing ability and aerial power will test Cascante and Hedges all night. Mukhtar drifting into space will be a nightmare matchup for Pereira, who has to walk the tightrope of marking without fouling. At the other end, Driussi is Austin’s creative heartbeat, and if Nashville’s midfield pairing of Godoy and Davis smother him, Austin could struggle to generate chances. Zardes against Zimmerman will also be pivotal, pitting a poacher’s instincts against one of MLS’s most reliable defenders.

Set pieces could be decisive. Austin have scored 11 headed goals this season, the second-most in MLS, while Nashville are among the league’s stingiest on defending dead balls. Every corner and free kick could feel like a turning point.

Other factors add intrigue. Austin will be boosted by a raucous Q2 Stadium crowd, while Nashville bring the painful but valuable memory of a past final defeat. If the match drags into extra time or penalties, both managers’ benches and substitutions could swing the balance.