Just four teams remain in the hunt for America’s oldest and most storied soccer trophy. Austin FC, Minnesota United, Nashville SC, and the Philadelphia Union press on in their quest for the US Open Cup with just two wins between them and glory.
None of the four clubs has ever won the tournament before, meaning we are guaranteed to get a first-time champion for the second consecutive year. With games kicking off on Tuesday, here’s everything you need to know going into the final stages of the competition.
Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SC
The Union will travel to Nashville on Tuesday with momentum on its side. Philadelphia currently leads the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, with 57 points after 30 games. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot and could become the first team since FC Dallas in 2016 to win both the regular-season crown and the Open Cup in the same season.
In the way stands Nashville SC, who pulled off a dominant 5-2 win over DC United in the quarterfinals. They sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Philadelphia, but they’ll need to change their luck as it stands, with just one win in their last six MLS contests.
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Minnesota United vs Austin FC
Minnesota hosts visiting Austin FC, with both teams knowing that the winner will host the Open Cup Final on Wednesday, October 1. The Loons recently clinched the second Western Conference playoff spot and will hope to make it back to the Open Cup Final after losing to Atlanta United in 2019.
Despite having the worst MLS record of the four remaining teams, Austin FC still sits seventh in the Western Conference, seven points clear of Real Salt Lake, in 10th. After scraping by San Jose on penalties in the Quarterfinals, Los Verdes would no doubt see winning the Open Cup as a significant success to justify their fairly average league campaign.
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