U.S. Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Four MLS sides chase a first-ever title

Jonathan Turner
Sep 16
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

Two nights, two spots in the 110th U.S. Open Cup Final. Nashville SC host the Philadelphia Union tonight before Minnesota United welcome Austin FC on Wednesday, with the West winner set to host the championship on Oct. 1. A first-time Open Cup champion is guaranteed. U.S. Soccer+1

Tonight — Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia UnionKickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 CT) at GEODIS Park — TV: CBS Sports Network; Stream: Paramount+ mlssoccer+1

Storylines:

Beasts of the East: Shield-leading Philly hit the road for a one-off in Music City; Nashville are in their first-ever Open Cup semifinal at home. Expect a measured start and set-piece importance. mlssoccer+1
Form & route: Nashville reached the last four by rallying past D.C. United 5–2 after earlier wins over Chattanooga and Orlando. Philadelphia advanced out of the RBNY/PHI quarterfinal path to earn tonight’s trip. Nashville SC+1

Players to watch:

Nashville: Hany Mukhtar’s transition threat pairs with Sam Surridge’s penalty-area presence. U.S. Soccer
Philadelphia: Kai Wagner’s delivery, Quinn Sullivan’s ball-progression and All-Star forward Tai Baribo headline a balanced attack. mlssoccer

Edge if… Nashville press selectively and win restarts; Philadelphia control tempo, limit turnovers, and exploit wide overloads.

Wednesday — Minnesota United vs. Austin FCKickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 CT) at Allianz Field — TV: CBS Sports Network; Stream: Paramount+ mlssoccer+1

Storylines:

Home fortress: The Loons earned the right to host after a 3–1 AET quarterfinal win over Chicago Fire. Allianz Field and late-game legs matter on a short week. MNUFC+1
Austin’s first ride: ATX reached their first-ever Open Cup semifinal by outlasting San Jose on penalties; Brad Stuver was immense, and Owen Wolff buried the clincher. Monitor Brandon Vázquez’s status after his quarterfinal knock. U.S. Soccer+2ESPN.com+2

Players to watch:

Minnesota: Kelvin Yeboah (ET brace vs. CHI) and Robin Lod’s chance creation. MNUFC
Austin: Brad Stuver’s shot-stopping and Myrto Uzuni’s set-piece danger. U.S. Soccer

What’s at stake: The West winner hosts the Final on Oct. 1, so Wednesday’s victor not only advances but earns home field for the trophy match. U.S. Soccer

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NSN Notes & Quick Facts

Kick times (ET): NSH–PHI 8:00p Tue; MIN–ATX 8:30p Wed. mlssoccer+1
Broadcast: Both semifinals on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. mlssoccer+1
First-time champ: None of the four remaining clubs has lifted the U.S. Open Cup. The Cup

NSN View (keys to each match):

NSH–PHI: Transition vs. structure. If Nashville win midfield second balls and isolate Mukhtar between the lines, the home side tilt it. If Philly’s press-resistance holds and Wagner/Sullivan control width, the Union can quiet GEODIS.
MIN–ATX: Stuver vs. Loons’ volume. Minnesota’s crossing and late runners will test Austin’s box defending; if ATX ride Stuver and spring Uzuni/Wolff in transition, extra time isn’t out of the question.