Nashville SC Player Ratings: An emphatic Open Cup comeback

After going 2-0 down to DC United on Wednesday night, Nashville SC scored five unanswered goals and earned a spot in the semi finals of the US Open Cup. Several players shined in the second half to give Nashville their fifth win in a row in all competitions and extend their unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Recap: Nashville SC storm into the US Open Cup semifinals with comeback goal-fest against DC United

The Coyotes erased a two-goal deficit to extend their unbeaten run to 15 matches

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

Brian Schwake - 6.0

Brian Schwake seems to have solidified himself as the second choice 'keeper at the club. Neither of the DC United goals were fully his fault, but he maybe could have reacted better on the second. Other than the goals, he had a quiet night, making only one save.

Stock: Unchanged

Dan Lovitz - 6.5

A fine defensive shift from Dan Lovitz, but with United’s compact defense, he struggled to do much on the other end.

Stock: Unchanged

Jack Maher - 7.0

I know you're supposed to dock points for own goals, but Jack Maher had a pretty good game otherwise. He was tasked with marking one of the best forwards in the league, and he did that very well.

Stock: Unchanged

Jeisson Palacios - 5.5

The Colombian's positioning could've been better on both of the goals, especially the second where he commited forward and missed the ball. He was much better in the second half.

Stock: Unchanged

Andy Najar - 7.5

The All-Star struggled a bit defensively in the first half, but that comes with how he is instructed to play the position. It was a completely different story in the second; he scored a banger, and he could have gotten an assist or two as well.

Stock: Unchanged

Gastón Brugman - 5.0

I'm still struggling to see how the 2024 MLS Cup MVP fits into this team. There are certainly moments of brilliance from Gastón Brugman, but overall there's a clear dip when he's on the pitch. The assist was nice, but he didn't cover himself in glory for the two DC goals.

Stock: Down

Eddi Tagseth - 6.5

It wasn't the best game for the Norwegian, but still effective all over the pitch. His frustration seemed to have gotten the best of him in a couple of moments, and he picked up an avoidable yellow.

Stock: Unchanged

Alex Muyl - 5.5

It seems like all the action – good and bad – was coming from the right side. Alex Muyl, just like Lovitz, wasn't able to leave any substantial mark on the game. The competition for the wing spots is heating up, and Callaghan seems open to the idea of having two attacking players out wide, Muyl needs a couple of big performances.

Stock: Down

Jonathan Perez - 9.0

It was an almost perfect night for the loanee. Jonny Pérez was involved in Nashville's most important goals. His maverick capabilities allowed him to take charge of the game and bail Nashville out of a bad situation. The defensive work is still a question mark, but it'll be less important the more he contributes in attack.

Stock: Up

Hany Mukhtar - 7.5

The German might not have been involved in any goals, but his relentless work-rate wore down the DC defense. He attracts defenders towards him creating space for others.

Stock: Unchanged

Sam Surridge - 7.5

7.5 might be low for someone who scored a brace, but at this point Sam Surridge is being graded on a different scale. He should have had a hat-trick and maybe even more.

Stock: Unchanged

Substitutes

Ahmed Qasem - 6.0

Ahmed Qasem was involved in the attack and seemed close to getting a goal or an assist, but unfortunately ran out of time.

Stock: Unchanged

Walker Zimmerman - N/A

Really nice moment for him to get a goal on his first game back with the group.

Stock: Unchanged

Patrick Yazbek - N/A

Came in to close things out and he did.

Stock: Unchanged

Teal Bunbury - N/A

The game was done and dusted by the time he came on.

Stock: Unchanged

Josh Bauer - N/A

Yup, same as above.

Stock: Unchanged

Manager

BJ Callaghan - 9

BJ Callaghan preached all week about the importance of the Open Cup and he backed up his words with a very strong lineup. A couple of tweaks at halftime seem to have done the trick. He's quickly becoming one of the most impressive coaches in the country.

Stock: Up