Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia Union
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | Semifinal
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. CT
GEODIS Park | Nashville, TN
Broadcast Details
Watch | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
Nashville SC looks to conjure this season’s U.S. Open Cup magic Tuesday evening — and secure the chance at a trophy — in a heavyweight semifinal against Philadelphia Union. The winner advances to the U.S. Open Cup final on Oct. 1, where they will travel to face Minnesota United or Austin FC.
Key Storylines
A Timely Opportunity
Nashville has two missions Tuesday: soothe the sting of last weekend’s final-minute loss at FC Cincinnati and add another magical chapter to its spellbinding U.S. Open Cup story. The Boys in Gold already made history by reaching the semifinal for the first time after defeating D.C. United 5-2 in July but now find themselves just two wins away from their first trophy in club history.
The opportunity comes at a good time for Nashville, which has slipped from second to fourth in the Supporters Shield Standing after losing five of its last six matches. Philadelphia presents a stern test as the Eastern Conference leader, but the Union have been unable to crack Nashville this season, losing both league matches by a combined score of 4-1. Adding to the stakes? Philadelphia hasn’t won the U.S. Open Cup, either, despite reaching the final three times.
Homecoming of Sorts
Nashville’s BJ Callaghan, a candidate for MLS Coach of the Year, will be coaching in familiar territory Tuesday. Before joining the U.S. Men’s National Team staff in 2019, Callaghan spent five seasons with the Union as an assistant, where he helped lead Philadelphia to all three of their U.S. Open Cup final appearances (2014, 2015, 2018). Callaghan has gone 2-2 against his former club since joining Nashville in 2024, but this season secured the first home win, road win and sweep against the Union in club history.
Team Effort
More than 71% of Nashville’s goals in MLS have come from golden boot leader Sam Surridge (21) and MVP hopeful Hany Mukhtar (14). The U.S. Open Cup, however, has been a story of team-wide goalscoring for the Boys in Gold, with seven of their nine goals so far coming elsewhere.
How We Got Here + What's Next
Nashville’s Open Cup run began with a tight 1-0 win against in-state USL foe Chattanooga Red Wolves, before a back-and-forth 3-2 win against Orlando in the round of 16. The Boys in Gold then came from behind to dispatch D.C. United 5-2 in the quarterfinals, ensuring that this year’s Open Cup champion will be a first-time winner.
Following Tuesday’s match, Nashville will make its way to Orlando on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT for a chance to clinch a playoff berth.
