Nashville SC Claims Historic First Trophy with U.S. Open Cup Victory

Nashville SC did it! They captured the club’s first major championship, defeating Austin FC 2-1 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final at Q2 Stadium.

Sam Surridge converted a crucial penalty in the 60th minute to secure the victory for Nashville, which joined Major League Soccer as an expansion franchise in 2020. The win also earned Nashville a berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

“I think it is important for us that we know that we can do it, that we can win a trophy,” said Hany Mukhtar, who has been with Nashville since the club’s MLS inception. “It gives us extra confidence for the rest of the season.”

Match Highlights

Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a spectacular shot into the upper corner, beyond the reach of Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver. The goal set the tone for what would become a tightly contested final.

Austin nearly equalized shortly after when Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake fouled Myrto Uzuni in the box. However, Schwake redeemed himself by saving Uzuni’s penalty attempt, keeping Nashville ahead.

Uzuni found redemption in first-half stoppage time, scoring with a left-footed strike to the far corner to level the match at 1-1 heading into halftime.

The decisive moment came when Austin’s Dani Pereira fouled Jeisson Palacios in the penalty area. Surridge stepped up confidently, converting his tournament-leading sixth goal. The English striker was later sent off with a red card in stoppage time but had already done enough to secure the trophy.

Breaking New Ground

The final featured an all-woman on-field officiating crew for the first time in U.S. Open Cup history, led by referee Tori Penso with assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.

The victory was particularly sweet for Nashville after falling short in the 2023 Leagues Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

“I think this year we showed we can control games with the ball. That is a big improvement,” Mukhtar reflected. “And I still believe we have at least one step to go to be a top team, to be one of the best teams in this league. But I think we’ve showed over long periods this season that we can compete, we can keep the ball, we can be aggressive against the ball. I’m very proud of this team.”

Actor Matthew McConaughey, who serves as Austin FC’s minority owner and “Minister of Culture,” attended the match to support the home side.

Tournament Context

The U.S. Open Cup, established in 1914, stands as the oldest soccer competition in the United States. While the tournament is open to both professional and amateur clubs, MLS teams have dominated in recent decades.

The last non-MLS team to reach the final was Sacramento Republic in 2022, and the Rochester Rhinos remain the last non-MLS club to win the tournament, achieving that feat in 1999 against the Colorado Rapids.