Preview: Austin FC vs Nashville SC | US Open Cup Final

AUSTIN, TX – On Wednesday night, Nashville SC will take on Austin FC in the US Open Cup final. It's a chance for both sides to lift the first trophy in their respective histories, and a pivotal moment in the history of Nashville SC.

Ranking the 10 most important matches in Nashville SC history

Ahead of Wednesday night’s US Open Cup final, Valair Shabilla breaks down the biggest games yet for the Boys In Gold

SixOneFive SoccerValair Shabilla

Match info

Teams: Austin FC vs Nashville SC
Referees: Tori Penso (Ref), Brooke Mayo (AR1), Kathryn Nesbitt (AR2), Rosendo Mendoza (4th), Shawn Tehini (VAR), Fabio Tovar (AVAR), Meghan Mullen (Reserve AR)
Odds: ATX (+165), Draw (+230), NSH (+145)
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm CT, Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX, United States
TV: CBS Sports Network | Paramount+
Forecast: 92º/66º. 88º at kickoff. Sunny. 1-6 mph winds. 0% chance of rain. 43% humidity.

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Head-to-head

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Zoomed N: Austin FC with Verde All Day

Ahead of the US Open Cup final, Phil West breaks down Austin FC

SixOneFive SoccerSixOneFive Soccer Staff

Austin FC

The numbers

Austin FC snapshot

Austin FC head into the match looking for their first trophy as a club. After debuting in MLS in 2021, they've qualified for the playoffs just once, falling in the Western Conference final to eventual MLS Cup winners LAFC. The ownership group parted ways with head coach Josh Wolff last season, and ushered in a new era with former FC Dallas head coach Nico Éstevez, who also worked with Nashville coach BJ Callaghan as an assistant with the US National Team.

Under Éstevez, Austin have been more pragmatic than they were during Wolff's tenure. Consistently in the top half of the league in terms of average possession under Wolff, Éstevez has them in a much lower block, controlling just 47% in 2025, good for 24th in MLS. Instead of controlling the ball, they've focused on being defensively resolute. They've conceded 38 goals all season (tied with Nashville for the 7th-best mark in MLS), and they're even better at home; just 11 goals allowed in 15 matches at Q2 Stadium.

Their US Open Cup run hasn't been without its challenges. Down 2-0 to USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive in the Round of 32, they were boo'd off the pitch at halftime. They ended up coming back and winning 3-2. After taking down Houston 3-1 at home, they went on the road to Minnesota United and scored in the final seconds of extra time to win 2-1, upsetting the Loons to advance to the final.

Verde rotated heavily midweek to keep their core fresh for the Open Cup. It cost them in MLS play – they lost 3-1 to Real Salt Lake – but gave them a chance to get healthy and rested for Wednesday night. Owen Wolff is the primary danger man, leading the team with 12 goal contributions in MLS. The versatile midfielder has most recently settled on the left side of a 3-4-3, cutting inside as a playmaker while Osman Bukari stretches the field on the opposite flank.

Analysis: Scouting Austin FC for the US Open Cup final

Jeff Remlinger breaks down Austin FC ahead of their US Open Cup final against Nashville on Wednesday

SixOneFive SoccerJeff Remlinger

With Brandon Vázquez out with a torn ACL, Myrto Uzuni has filled in as the No. 9. While the Albanian international is more comfortable in a wider role, he's done admirably in a less-than-ideal position, logging six goals in league play.

Midfield and defense are areas to watch. Ilie Sánchez is the club captain and an ultra-experienced player in MLS, winning MLS Cup with Los Angeles FC and playing for several years with Sporting Kansas City before that. He may not be fully fit, though, and 20-year-old Nicolás Dubersarsky doesn't bring the same quality next to Dani Pereira. Behind them, Guilherme Biro has also struggled with fitness, and his form may see him drop to the bench in favor of Oleksandr Svatok.

While Austin certainly aren't an expansive attacking side, they're incredibly stingy, have some real difference makers who are more than capable of producing match-winning moments, and are playing at home in a stadium that can be one of the elite atmospheres in MLS. They'll be an incredibly tough opponent.

Predicted XI

Nashville SC

The numbers

Nashville SC snapshot

There's no question that Wednesday night is one of the most important nights in Nashville SC history. For the second time ever, they'll play for the chance to lift a trophy, and now more than ever they feel capable of truly contending.

Sam Surridge is established as one of the elite goalscorers in MLS. Hany Mukhtar is back to his best form. They have a real identity under BJ Callaghan, one that marries their old defensive solidity with a new ability to create chances consistently. They no longer feel like an upstart, but a threat.

Playing against a defensively resolute Austin side will be a challenge. After losing six of their last seven matches, Callaghan opted against rotating his side on Saturday. They got a much-needed result against Houston to get themselves back on track in league play, but it may come at the expense of heavy legs for their core.

Gastón Brugman was one of the few players who seemed to be rested on Saturday, and he will be key as Nashville attempt to break down Austin's defense. Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek have a unique ability to disrupt their opponent and cause chaos, but neither are particularly adept at progressing the ball against a compact defense. If Brugman starts, expect Nashville to have a more front-foot approach.

The other major question for Nashville comes in goal. Joe Willis is clearly the first-choice 'keeper at the club, and has been since 2020. Nashville's best eleven includes Willis, full stop. However, 24-year-old Brian Schwake has started every match so far in the US Open Cup, and has looked fully competent – perhaps even better than Willis with the ball at his feet. Will Callaghan let Schwake see the tournament out, or risk damaging his confidence to stick with Willis?

When asked about the choice on Tuesday, Callaghan only said that Schwake was "available for selection". Nashville should have enough quality, regardless of who's in goal, but it's a question nonetheless.

Predicted XI

Staff predictions

Ben Wright

Score: ATX 1–2 NSH
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Jacob Shaffelburg
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville control more than 60% of possession.

Chris Ivey

Score: ATX 1–2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: It's a tight, cagey affair that Nashville win late on a counter as Austin try to push for a win in regulation.

Jeff Remlinger

Score: ATX 1–2 NSH
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville score early and win relatively easily.

Valair Shabilla

Score: ATX 0–2 NSH
Scorers: Sam Surridge, Alex Muyl
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Both goals come after the 70th minute.

Fan forecast

Pre-match media