Nashville SC kick off their US Open Cup campaign on Tuesday. The Coyotes will enter the competition in the Round of 32, taking on USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves at Geodis Park for the first meeting ever between the two clubs.
For Nashville, who have never won a trophy, the Open Cup represents a chance to win one of the oldest competitions in global soccer.
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
Match info
Teams: Nashville SC vs Chattanooga Red Wolves
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN
TV: Paramount+
Forecast: 72º/48º. 67º at kickoff. Partly cloudy. 1-4 mph winds. 0% chance of rain. 60% humidity.
Chattanooga Red Wolves
The numbers
Standings: 9th (USL League One) |6 points | 1W-3D-1L | 0 GD
Goal leaders: Matthew Bentley (3), Omar Hernandez (2)
Assist leaders: Jonathan Filipe, Joshua Ramos (1)
Last match: 3-1 loss at Birmingham Legion (USL Jägermeister Cup)
Chattanooga Red Wolves snapshot
The Red Wolves have made it to the Round of 32 on three consecutive penalty shootout wins. They snuck past semi-pro side New Jersey Alliance FC after a 2-2 draw before beating cross-town rivals Chattanooga FC after a thrilling 1-1 draw in front of over 12,000 fans.
The fourth-largest attendance in club history.
— Chattanooga FC (@ChattanoogaFC) April 3, 2025
Thank you, Chattanooga. We love you. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/TTeTO8yr8m
Their most impressive Open Cup win came in the third round, traveling to USL Championship outfit Las Vegas Lights and again winning in penalties after a 2-2 draw in which they had just 30% of the possession. Heading into the Round of 32, they're one of just four Division III teams remaining in the competition.
In league play they've struggled, winning just one of their first five matches and sitting in ninth place in USL League One, the third division of the US Soccer pyramid.
That's a brace for @MattBentley8 and the @ChattRedWolves take the lead! ✌️#USOC2025 // @opencup pic.twitter.com/2kOp6Q85lu
— USL League One (@USLLeagueOne) March 19, 2025
Led by former Minnesota United SuperDraft pick Matthew Bentley, they've shown themselves dangerous in attack. Bentley grabbed a brace in their first Open Cup win, scoring twice after they went down to 10 men in the 37th minute. Typically flanked by Zahir Vazquez and set piece maestro Omar Hernández, he's at the center of a quietly capable attack.
Defensively, head coach Scott Mackenzie has them set up in a back three that will drop to a back five without the ball. As they showed in their match against Las Vegas, they'll likely sit deep and look to absorb pressure, getting most of their looks at goal in transition.
Predicted XI
Nashville SC
The numbers
Standings: 6th (East) | 17 points | 5W-2D-4L | +6 GD
Goal leaders: Sam Surridge (6), Hany Mukhtar (4)
Assist leaders: Hany Mukhtar (4), Dan Lovitz, Andy Najar, Eddi Tagseth (3)
Last match: 1-1 draw at Atlanta United
Nashville SC snapshot
Nashville SC are in the midst of the busiest month of the season. They have a short turnaround from Saturday's 1-1 draw in Atlanta, and if they advance to the Round of 16, they'll play a total of nine matches during the month of May.
Despite the packed calendar, head coach BJ Callaghan has been consistent that Nashville will go all-in to try and win the competition. For the former Philadelphia Union assistant, who reached the final three separate times and came up short in all three, the tournament is a priority.
Ben Wright
"Being the oldest tournament that there is, the opportunity for any team in at any level to participate and work their way through, that's the beauty of our sport that everyone gets that opportunity through this," Callaghan said on Monday. "It's a tournament that we'll take seriously because it's owed that level of respect. We know that it's a opportunity to win a trophy um and as a club, you know, any trophy that we can compete for, we want to compete for it. And also that we know it's a vehicle to bigger tournaments as well that are aligned with some of the longer-term visions of the club, to try to compete against some of the best in North America."
For Nashville, who have never won a trophy at any level, the Open Cup is a significant opportunity. Not only does the trophy guarantee a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the highest level of competition in North American soccer, but it also gives the winner a $600,000 prize purse.
Callaghan confirmed that no players from Huntsville City FC, Nashville's reserve side, will be called up to the first team for this match. That being said, significant rotation is expected, with several players likely to see minutes who have been on the fringes of the first-team picture.
Predicted XI
Staff predictions
Ben Wright
Score: NSH 5-0 CHA
Scorers: Teal Bunbury, Ahmed Qasem, Bryan Acosta, Jonny Pérez, Chris Applewhite
MOTM: Matt Corcoran
Bold prediction: Matt Corcoran grabs three assists, with Nashville controlling close to 80% of the ball.
Jeff Remlinger
Score: NSH 2-0 CHA
Scorers: Jonny Pérez, Ahmed Qasem
MOTM: Matt Corcoran
Bold prediction: Chattanooga don't record a single shot on target.
Valair Shabilla
Score: NSH 5-1 CHA
Scorers: Jonny Pérez (x3), Chris Applewhite, Teal Bunbury
MOTM: Jonny Pérez
Bold prediction: Nashville will take at least 17 shots.
Fan forecast
Nashville SC kick off their 2025 US Open Cup campaign tomorrow against the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Who wins?
— SixOneFive Soccer (@615Soccer) May 5, 2025
Vote in our #FanForecast and reply with a #BoldPrediction.
Pre-match media
SixOneFive Soccer Staff
){kind=link}