On Wednesday, Huntsville City FC midfielder Ethan O'Brien made his Nashville SC debut in a 3-2 win over Orlando City in the US Open Cup.
The 24-year-old midfielder, signed to Nashville's MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, was a late addition to the matchday roster via short-term loan. With Nashville in search of a winner, O'Brien came off the bench in the 73rd minute to play a crucial role in the win.
Our guy Ethan O’Brien making his debut in Gold with @nashvillesc tonight in the Open Cup 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VVySYUix0Q
— Huntsville City FC (@HuntCityFC) May 22, 2025
After the match, Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan spoke about the important role O'Brien played.
"The role that we put him in tonight is the role he's been doing down in Huntsville," said Callaghan. "Because they're doing the same things that we're doing up here in the first team, it's a seamless transition. And we have a ton of confidence to be able to put him in and do the role."
O'Brien only found out he'd be called up on Tuesday afternoon, flying down to Florida on just a few hours' notice and later making his debut. O'Brien is just the third Huntsville City player to ever play in a match for Nashville after Joey DeZart and Jordan Knight, both of whom appeared for the club in Leagues Cup.
