Two Wins From a Trophy: Our Quest for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Nashville SC is one step closer to having their club's name carved into the base of the Dewar Cup

Entering the final four with their win over D.C. United in July, the Boys in Gold have advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals. This match will mark the first time since Leagues Cup 2023 that Nashville SC has progressed this far in any tournament, and the furthest they have gone in any USOC tournament since the club's inception.

A three-time finalist in this competition, Philadelphia Union heads to Nashville for a mid-September matchup at GEODIS Park after defeating New York Red Bulls 3-2 with a late game rebound goal from centerback Olwethu Makhanya.

How It Works

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a national cup competition open to all amateur and professional teams in the United States. Dating back to 1913, it is the oldest current national cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world.

Clubs enter the U.S. Open Cup at different stages of the competition based on their place in the U.S. Soccer pyramid. Each knockout round is single-elimination, beginning with the First Round of this year's competition in March.

Only two rounds remain: Semifinals and Finals. The champion team will take home the title and the hardware that accompanies it, as well as earning a berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Not Our First Rodeo: This is Nashville's third time in the U.S. Open Cup

In 2022:

• The Boys in Gold entered the competition with a 3-2 victory over Atlanta United FC. In a triumphant comeback, the boys scored an equalizer in the 92nd minute sending the match into extra time. Then-forward Ethan Zubak, assisted by Hany Mukhtar, put Nashville ahead in the end securing their spot in the Round of 16.
• Heading to Lousiville City FC to continue their victory run, Nashville SC opened the match by immediately answering Louisville's first goal—just two minutes later. A second goal from Hany Mukhtar carried the boys to a 2-1 defeat over the USL Championship side.
• Nashville's run ended at the Quarterfinals when they lost to 2022 USOC winners Orlando City SC. Following a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes of play, Nashville eventually fell 6-5 in penalties.

In 2023:

• Nashville entered the Cup in the Third Round, facing off against San Antonio FC. The lone goal of the match was recorded by Zubak and solidified Nashville's still-current unbeaten streak at home in U.S. Open Cup competitions.
• In the Round of 32, the Boys in Gold registered another victory beating MLS Western Conference opponent FC Dallas 2-0. Recording back to back shutouts in this competition, Nashville's quest for the cup set it's eyes on Miami and the Round of 16.
• At Inter Miami, Nashville's run concluded in a 2-1 loss after returning from a weather delay. The match marked the sixth across all competitions in just 18 days for Nashville SC.

Looking Ahead

Nashville SC returns to Open Cup play on September 16. The boys look to extend their USOC heater:

• Nine goals across all 2025 U.S. Open Cup matches this year
• Seven different goal scorers in three matches (Josh Bauer v. CHA, 17'; Ahmed Qasem v. ORL, 40'; Wyatt Meyer v. ORL, 79'; Jonny Pérez v. DC, 25'; Sam Surridge v. DC, 53' and 72'; Andy Najar v. DC, 81'; Walker Zimmerman v. DC, 87')
• 7W-1L-1D all-time in U.S. Open Cup play

If Nashville advances to the Finals, the match will be played against the winner of the Minnesota United versus Austin FC Semifinal on October 1.