Nashville SC keep rolling. The Coyotes are on a club-record 14 match unbeaten streak in all competitions, and have won their last four matches. They head into Wednesday's US Open Cup quarterfinal against DC United in exceptional form, knowing that they're only three wins away from winning their first trophy as a club.
After taking down Chattanooga Red Wolves and Orlando City, Nashville take on a DC United side they've already played twice in 2025, looking for a second-consecutive win against the Black & Red.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs DC United
Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN
TV: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
Forecast: 84º/72º. 78º at kickoff. Scattered storms. 2-6 mph winds. 60% chance of rain (20% at kickoff). 76% humidity.
Head-to-head
Nashville wins: 5
Nashville goals: 17
Draws: 3
DC United wins: 2
DC United goals: 10
Last meeting: DC 0-1 NSH (June 28, 2025 | MLS)
Ben Wright
DC United
The numbers
Goal leaders: Christian Benteke (6), Gabriel Pirani, Hoseij Kijima (2)
Assist leaders:Aaron Herrera, Gabriel Pirani, João Peglow (2)
Last match: 0-0 draw vs Atlanta United
Data power rankings: 29th (11.21 score)
DC United snapshot
DC United have only played one match since their 1-0 loss to Nashville on June 28, just 11 days ago. The Black & Red were held to a scoreless draw at home against Atlanta United on Saturday, and while Christian Benteke made his return from injury after six weeks, there wasn't much else to be excited about, held to just two shots on target.
In general, DC struggle heavily to create and finish chances. They score just 0.81 goals per game (29th in MLS), create just 1.24 expected goals per game (28th), and take just 11 shots per game (27th). Paired with a defense that allows the 26th-most goals per game, it's been a brutal combination for the 12th-placed side.
For whatever reason, though, they've been better against Nashville. In their two meetings this year, they held the Coyotes to a scoreless draw at Geodis Park and lost a close 1-0 match at their home stadium just 11 days ago. They've held Nashville to just 15 shots and 1.61 expected goals, and in a Cup match, Wednesday night should be just as cagey.
Predicted XI
Nashville SC
The numbers
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (16), Hany Mukhtar (9)
Assist leaders: Hany Mukhtar (8), Andy Najar (7), Dan Lovitz (5)
Last match: 1-0 win vs Philadelphia Union
Data Power Rankings: 1st (52.92 score)
Nashville SC snapshot
A win against DC United on Wednesday would earn Nashville their first-ever US Open Cup semifinal appearance. If they win, they would either host Philadelphia Union at Geodis Park or travel to the New York Red Bulls, depending on which side wins their match at 6 pm CT.
Nashville have rotated significantly in their first two matches. BJ Callaghan made 11 changes to his lineup against the Chattanooga Red Wolves, with Hany Mukhtar on the bench and Sam Surridge not even in the squad. In a 3-2 win over Orlando City, Callaghan made seven lineup changes, with Mukhtar, Surridge, Dan Lovitz, Eddi Tagseth and Joe Willis not in the squad. Instead, Huntsville City's Christian Koffi and Ethan O'Brien were included, with O'Brien making his Nashville debut off the bench.
Ben Wright
Since then, Alan Carleton has also debuted for Nashville, becoming the first Huntsville player to make an MLS appearance. With a trip to Inter Miami looming on Saturday and a huge Eastern Conference match against Columbus Crew the following Wednesday, seeing a few Huntsville players round out the squad wouldn't be a surprise.
Even with a rotated squad, Nashville should have enough quality to beat DC at home. Theoretically, at least. The reality, going back to last season's 4-3 loss - a match in which Nashville blew a 3-1 lead in the final 15 minutes to end their playoff hopes - has been tense, tight matches that end up much closer than their table positions would indicate. In a knockout Open Cup match, expect the tenseness to be ratcheted up even higher.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 2-1 DC
Scorers: Jonny Pérez, Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Jonny Pérez
Bold prediction: Christian Benteke opens the scoring, but Nashville dominate the rest of the match.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 1-0 DC
Scorers: Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Matt Corcoran
Bold prediction: Nashville still won’t prioritize the Open Cup and will need extra time to take down DC.
Ronan Briscoe
Score: NSH 2-0 DC
Scorers: Ahmed Qasem, Bryan Acosta
MOTM: Joe Willis
Bold prediction: This game is going to be terrible on the eyeballs because DC has no other choice.
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 1-0 DC
Scorers: Jacob Shaffelburg
MOTM: Jacob Shaffelburg
Bold prediction: Nashville will have 65% or more of the ball.
Fan forecast
It's a US Open Cup matchday in Music City! Who will win the quarterfinal between Nashville SC and DC United?
— SixOneFive Soccer (@615Soccer) July 9, 2025
Vote in our #FanForecast and reply with a #BoldPrediction.
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