Nashville players celebrate after scoring a goal against Austin in the U.S. Open Cup.Imagn Images
Q2 Stadium8:00 PM, October 1, 2025Coverage: CBSSN/Paramount+Austin, Texas, USA Attendance: 20,738Referees:Tori Penso
Q2 Stadium8:00 PM, October 1, 2025Coverage: CBSSN/Paramount+Austin, Texas, USA Attendance: 20,738Referees:Tori Penso
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.
Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
ByESPN News ServicesUpdated: Oct 2, 2025, 12:06 amFacebookFacebook MessengerTwitterEmail
Nashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first major trophy.
The two recent MLS expansion sides — Nashville started play in 2020 and Austin in 2021 — weren’t separated by much over the course of the 90 minutes plus extra time, with Sam Surridge’s second-half penalty proving to be the difference.
The U.S Open Cup, which dates back to 1914, is the oldest soccer competition in the United States. The win earns Nashville an automatic spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a clinical finish from the middle of the area after teammate Jacob Shaffelburg chested a cross right into Mukhtar’s path to give the visitors an early lead.
“I think it is important for us that we know that we can do it, that we can win a trophy,” said Mukhtar, who has been with the club since it joined MLS. “It gives us extra confidence for the rest of the (MLS) season.”
Austin had a chance to draw level shortly after, but Brian Schwake saved Myrto Uzuni’s spot kick after the Nashville keeper tripped him to concede the penalty.
Uzuni made amends for his saved penalty just before the break when he settled a through ball from Ilie Sánchez and smashed his next touch between the legs of an onrushing Schwake to level the score at halftime.
Austin’s Dani Pereira fouled Jeisson Palacios in the penalty area to set up a chance for Nashville to go ahead again, and Surridge made sure of it, converting his attempt to put B.J. Callaghan’s side up 2-1.
“I think this year we showed we can control games with the ball. That is a big improvement. 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,” Mukhtar said.
Callaghan also guided the USMNT to victory in the 2023 Nations League final after taking over as interim coach after Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired following the 2022 World Cup.
Nashville’s last final was in the Leagues Cup two years ago but the team missed out on a trophy, falling in a penalty shootout to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Actor Matthew McConaughey, an Austin FC owner and the team’s “Minister of Culture,” was among those at the match.
The final featured an all-women on-field officiating crew for the first time that included referee Tori Penso and assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.
The U.S. Open Cup is open to both professional and amateur clubs, but Major League Soccer teams have dominated the competition for more than two decades.
The last time a non-Major League Soccer team made it to the final was in 2022 when the USL Championship-level Sacramento Republic played Orlando City.
The last time a non-MLS team won the event was in 1999 when the Rochester Rhinos defeated the Colorado Rapids.
Nashville is currently in sixth place in MLS’ Eastern Conference with two games to play and are assured a spot in MLS Cup playoffs.
Q2 Stadium8:00 PM, October 1, 2025Coverage: CBSSN/Paramount+Austin, Texas, USA Attendance: 20,738
Q2 Stadium8:00 PM, October 1, 2025Coverage: CBSSN/Paramount+
Nashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophy
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami
Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeed
2025 U.S. Open Cup, FinalAustin FCAustinATX1FTNashville SCNashvilleNSH2Myrto Uzuni – 45’+1’Hany Mukhtar – 17’Sam Surridge – 60′ PenSam Surridge – 90’+6′
2025 U.S. Open Cup, FinalAustin FCAustinATX1FTNashville SCNashvilleNSH2Myrto Uzuni – 45’+1’Hany Mukhtar – 17’Sam Surridge – 60′ PenSam Surridge – 90’+6′
2025 U.S. Open Cup, FinalAustin FCAustinATX1FTNashville SCNashvilleNSH2Myrto Uzuni – 45’+1’Hany Mukhtar – 17’Sam Surridge – 60′ PenSam Surridge – 90’+6′
Nashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.
With Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.
Kasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Nashville finished the game with 10 players after Surridge was shown a second yellow card.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Q2 Stadium8:00 PM, October 1, 2025Coverage: CBSSN/Paramount+Austin, Texas, USA Attendance: 20,738Referees:Tori PensoNashville beats Austin in U.S. Open Cup for 1st major trophyNashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in final of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium to win the team’s first-ever major trophy.Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter MiamiWith Lionel Messi in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the World Cup winner’s performances.Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeedKasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez’s 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Myrto Uzuni – 45’+1’Hany Mukhtar – 17’Sam Surridge – 60′ PenSam Surridge – 90’+6′
Hany Mukhtar – 17’Sam Surridge – 60′ PenSam Surridge – 90’+6′
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren’s Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationContact UsDisney Ad Sales SiteWork for ESPNCorrectionsESPN BET Sportsbook is owned and operated by PENN Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries (‘PENN’). ESPN BET is available in states where PENN is licensed to offer sports wagering. Must be 21+ to wager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.Copyright: © 2025 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren’s Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationContact UsDisney Ad Sales SiteWork for ESPNCorrectionsESPN BET Sportsbook is owned and operated by PENN Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries (‘PENN’). ESPN BET is available in states where PENN is licensed to offer sports wagering. Must be 21+ to wager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.Copyright: © 2025 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren’s Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationContact UsDisney Ad Sales SiteWork for ESPNCorrectionsESPN BET Sportsbook is owned and operated by PENN Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries (‘PENN’). ESPN BET is available in states where PENN is licensed to offer sports wagering. Must be 21+ to wager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.Copyright: © 2025 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.