On Wednesday night, Nashville SC will play for a trophy for just the second time ever.
The Boys In Gold's match against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium isn't just a chance to make history as the first major professional sports team from Tennessee to win silverware. It's an opportunity to make a statement about the direction of the club.
"It's something that we spoke about when we got together in preseason wanting to pursue trophies aligned with the ambitions of the club, and we're one step away from that," head coach BJ Callaghan said on Tuesday. "It's been a culmination of everyone pitching in throughout the journey of the Open Cup. A lot of big performances by a lot of players on the team. I think everybody's focused and excited and prepared to put in a good performance."
In honor of Nashville SC's trip to the US Open Cup final, new subscribers can get 25% off a yearly membership now through October 1!
For Hany Mukhtar, who's been with Nashville since the start of their time in MLS and is one of the best players in Major League Soccer, emphasized how important Wednesday could be for the still young club.
"It's a very, very important box to check, to win a title," said Mukhtar. "That is every objective of every player... We've done really good so far but not won a trophy for the club as the missing piece. I think for me personally, that is what the club needs, and that's what we players need to make the next step, being up there to win a trophy."
Valair Shabilla
Heading into the match, Nashville SC are the slight favorites, given +145 odds to win ahead of Austin's +165. It's a very different role from their last appearance in a final, when they lost to Inter Miami in a penalty-kick shootout in the Leagues Cup final. Then, Nashville were the plucky underdogs. Now, they're the favorites.
"That's why we all love sports, soccer, you know, because there's always one favorite, but it doesn't mean anything. At the end of the day, both teams have a chance to win," Mukhtar laughed. "That is the beauty about our game, about any sports. But we have been great this year. We have to bring our confidence tomorrow to the field, show it that we are for a reason the favorite. We're not shying away. We put ourselves in a position to be a favorite. That says a lot about our team and what we have done the last 10 months."
The whole team is in Austin, even players like Taylor Washington and Wyatt Meyer who have missed significant time with injuries. It's because Wednesday night is more than just one game, but an opportunity to reflect on all the work it took to get here.
"We're all going to be together in Austin and that's the way it should be, because I think they've represented Nashville as a true team," said Callaghan. "The Open Cup has shown a light on how we are a real team from top to bottom. You have a lot of players that have contributed to this run, have played big moments in this run and that's the beauty of a tournament is that you're going to call on everybody. It's been a great tribute to see them all rise to the occasion and make an impact."
With hundreds of fans making the trek from Nashville to Austin, the Boys In Gold are banking on a vocal visiting crowd to give them a boost in a hostile environment.
"It's always just a it's a nice reminder to have that support, but also it continually reminds us that we're doing this for something bigger than ourselves," said Callaghan. "How much it means to the club, the people that work at the club. You extend that to the fan base and all the way through the city and the state of Tennessee. So that's not lost on us."
As far as dealing with the pressure? Callaghan says it's a privilege.
"These are the type of games where you're a kid and you're in the backyard and you're kicking the soccer ball and you're making up ideas in your head of who you are, shooting a penalty, and emulating some of your heroes," he smiled. "I think it's a good time to reflect on that and on what's kind of your why and what's your purpose and give that a second. We'll take a brief moment to remind everybody that this is a special opportunity, a final, you don't know when finals come."
"You work for them all the time, but they're always earned, they're never just given to you and yeah, you have to soak it in when you get the chance."
