AUSTIN — Oct. 1 will be forever etched in the history of Nashville SC, which won the U.S. Open Cup, defeating Austin FC, 2-1, for its first trophy in franchise history.
Nashville also now has earned a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 17th minute, assisted by Jacob Shaffelburg. Nashville SC goalkeeper Brian Schwake, not usually the team’s ‘keeper, conceded a penalty in the 19th minute after committing a foul in the penalty area. However, Schwake saved Myrto Uzuni’s shot that was sent to the bottom right corner.
Uzuni’s goal in extra time tied the score. Jeisson Palacios was fouled by Dani Pereira in the penalty area. Sam Surridge took the penalty kick, scoring on a shot straight down the middle of the goal.
The U.S. Open Cup is the nation’s oldest and longest-running soccer competition, dating back 111 years. It began with 96 teams from all levels of American clubs soccer and ended with Nashville SC versus Austin FC, both of whom had never been to the final before 2025.
Despite losing six of seven MLS games between July 25 and Sept. 20, Nashville has been the stronger team throughout the regular season and clinched a playoff berth in its most recent game, a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 27. Nashville SC defeated the Chattanooga Red Wolves, Orlando City, D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union on its way to the U.S. Open Cup championship game.
Austin, a middle-of-the-pack team in MLS this season, has thrived under pressure in the Open Cup. It defeated El Paso Locomotive and the Houston Dynamo before beating the San Jose Earthquakes on penalties in the quarterfinals and Minnesota United in extra time in the semifinals.
US Open Cup final highlights
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.