Nashville SC to face Austin FC in US Open Cup final on Oct. 1
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Nashville SC will face Austin FC in the final of the U.S. Open Cup on Oct. 1.
Nashville, which defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Sept. 16 at Geodis Park in the semifinals, will travel to Austin's Q2 Stadium for the final after Austin beat Minnesota United 2-1 in its semifinal on Sept. 17.
It will be the first-ever U.S. Open Cup final for both Nashville and Austin. Nashville had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals prior to 2025, while Austin had never even reached the quarterfinals.
What is the U.S. Open Cup?
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the longest-running soccer competition in the United States, originating in 1914. It's a single-elimination tournament which includes teams from all levels of American soccer, including MLS, the United Soccer League and amateur leagues.
This season's Open Cup featured 96 teams, with 16 from MLS. Nashville entered with the other MLS teams in the second round and defeated the Chattanooga Red Wolves, Orlando City, D.C. United and Philadelphia during its path to the final. Austin beat El Paso Locomotive, the Houston Dynamo, the San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota.
The winner of the U.S. Open Cup will qualify for next season's CONCACAF Champions Cup, a tournament consisting of league or cup champions from throughout North America. Nashville has made one appearance the Champions Cup, reaching the round of 16 in 2024.
While the Open Cup runs outside of the MLS regular season, Nashville has prioritized the tournament as an opportunity for its first championship since its founding in 2018. It would also be the first trophy for Austin, which began play in 2020.
Nashville has reached one other final, the 2023 Leagues Cup, which it lost on penalties to a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami team.
How Nashville SC, Austin FC stack up
In MLS play, Nashville (15-10-5, 50 points) is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Orlando City on Sept. 20.Austin (11-10-8, 41 points) is in seventh in the Western Conference and vying for its own playoff spot.
Nashville has been led by striker Sam Surridge, the top scorer in MLS with 21 goals, who had a hat trick against Philadelphia. Forward Hany Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS MVP, has 14 goals and 11 assists. Right back Andy Najar, who has one goal and 10 assists, was named an MLS All-Star along with Surridge and Mukhtar.
Austin's attack isn't as potent as Nashville's, but it's been solid on defense, having allowing just 36 goals in 30 games. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver is tied for second in MLS with 104 saves and was named an All-Star with defender Guilherme Biro.
Both coaches, Nashville's B.J. Callaghan and Austin's Nico Estevez, are in their first full seasons with their clubs. Callaghan is a former United States men's national team assistant while Estevez coached FC Dallas from 2022-24.
When is the U.S. Open Cup final?
The U.S. Open Cup final between Nashville SC and Austin FC is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the match with streaming on Paramount+. Kickoff time has not been announced yet.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: US Open Cup: Nashville SC vs. Austin FC in final
