In a pulsating US Open Cup quarter-final that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, Nashville SC emerged victorious with a dramatic 2-1 win over Austin FC, booking their place in the competition's semi-finals.
Late Drama Seals Quarter-Final Triumph
The match exploded into life early when Nashville's talismanic forward Sam Surridge broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes, capitalising on defensive uncertainty to fire his side into the lead. The English striker's clinical finish sent the home supporters into raptures at GEODIS Park.
Austin FC, determined not to let their cup dreams fade, fought back valiantly. Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Sebastian Driussi, the Argentine maestro, delivered a moment of quality to restore parity, setting up a nerve-shredding final quarter.
Mukhtar's Moment of Truth
With the game seemingly destined for extra time and both teams showing signs of fatigue, the decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. Nashville were awarded a penalty after a handball decision went their way, presenting German playmaker Hany Mukhtar with the opportunity to become the hero.
Under immense pressure, Mukhtar displayed remarkable composure, sending Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver the wrong way to reclaim the lead and ultimately secure Nashville's passage to the next round.
Manager Reactions
Nashville head coach Gary Smith praised his team's character, stating: "The resilience and determination shown tonight was exceptional. We faced a quality opponent and had to dig deep, but the players showed tremendous belief until the very end."
Austin's Josh Wolff reflected on what might have been: "It's a tough one to take. The players gave everything, but sometimes small moments decide these big games. We'll learn from this and come back stronger."
What Comes Next?
The victory propels Nashville SC into the US Open Cup semi-finals, keeping alive their hopes of securing silverware this season. For Austin FC, attention now turns to maintaining their strong position in MLS Western Conference, where they continue to push for playoff qualification.
This thrilling cup encounter served as another reminder of the growing quality and competitiveness in American soccer, with both clubs demonstrating why they're considered among MLS's most exciting outfits.
