Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Sam Surridge converted the game-winning penalty in the 60th minute as Nashville SC beat Austin FC 2-1 in the US Open Cup final in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday. Nashville, a Major League Soccer expansion side in 2020, claimed the first major trophy in club history, denying Austin, whose inaugural MLS season was 2021.
Nashville had seized the lead in the 17th minute with a goal from Hany Mukhtar, who rolled a shot past Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver after Jacob Shaffelburg directed a cross from Surridge into Mukhtar’s path. Austin had a quick chance to equalize but Myrto Uzuni’s penalty attempt was saved by Nashville keeper Brian Schwake — whose tackle that sent Uzuni flying had resulted in the spot kick.
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Uzuni leveled after all in first-half stoppage time, seizing a through ball from Ilie Sanchez and blasting a shot past Schwake. Nashville took the lead for good on Surridge’s spot kick after Jeisson Palacios was brought down in the box by Dani Pereira. Nashville finished the match with 10 men after Surridge was shown a second yellow card in second-half injury time.
Victory in the US Open Cup, the knockout tournament that dates back to 1914 when it was founded as the National Challenge Cup, saw Nashville clinch a berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Nashville have already punched their ticket to the MLS Cup playoffs while Austin are closing in on an MLS postseason berth.
© 2024 AFP
