Austin, Texas (AP) – Sam Salridge converted the penalty to the 60th minute, with Nashville SC winning the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night.
Hany Mukhtar also scored for Nashville. Nashville won the 2026 CONCACF Champions Cup. This was the first major trophy for the club to join Major League Soccer in 2020.
The US Open Cup dates back to 1914, is the oldest soccer tournament in the United States.
Mukhtar gave Nashville an early lead in the 17th minute with a shot sailing to the upper corner, out of reach of Austin’s goalkeeper Blood Stever
Austin had a good opportunity to equalize goalkeeper Brian Schweig within 10 minutes after a foul at Miltoujni. However, Schweki denied Uzni’s attempt to penalize.
Uzni got red from a left-footed goal in the first half stop time.
Austin’s Dani Pereira fouled Jason Palacios into the box for a penalty. Surridge stepped up and converted to the tournament’s sixth goal.
Nashville’s final final took place at the League Cup two years ago, but the team missed the trophy and fell into a penalty shootout to Lionel Messi and Intermiami.
Actor Matthew McConaughey, owner of Austin FC and the team’s “Minister of Culture,” was among the people during the match.
The final featured the Allwoman’s on-field host crew, including referee Tori Penso and assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt.
The US Open Cup is open to both professional and amateur clubs, but major league soccer teams have dominated the competition for over 20 years.
The last time a non-major league soccer team reached the final was in 2022, when USL Championship-level Republic of Sacramento played Orlando City.
The last time a non-MLS team won the event was in 1999, when the Rochester Sye defeated Colorado Rapids.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
