Three-time U.S. Open Cup champions D.C. United saw their 2025 tournament run come to an end on Wednesday night with a 5-2 defeat to Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The Black-and-Red will now shift their focus back to MLS play as they push to regain a position in the playoff race.
The U.S. Open Cup, first held in 1914, is the country’s oldest soccer tournament, bringing together clubs from every level of the American pyramid in a knockout format. Coming off a 0-0 league tie with Atlanta United FC this past weekend and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nashville SC on June 28, D.C. United looked to continue their strong run of form in defense ahead of the Quarterfinal match in Music City.
The opening 45 minutes were a back-and-forth battle, with both sides exchanging spells of possession and attacking chances. D.C. United struck first in the 5th minute when Gabriel Pirani fired in a left-footed shot from outside the box to give the Black-and-Red an early lead. In the 24th minute, a dangerous cross from defender David Schnegg deflected off Nashville’s Jack Maher and into the net, doubling the Black-and-Red’s advantage.
Nashville quickly responded, pulling one back just two minutes later through Jonathan Pérez, and used that momentum to gradually shift the tide of the match. Then in the 53rd minute, Nashville’s Sam Surridge converted a penalty kick followed by a second goal from close range in the 72nd minute to put Nashville up 3-2. D.C. United continued to look for an equalizing goal but were unable to withstand Nashville’s second-half surge.
In the 82nd minute, former D.C. United Academy player Andy Nájar added a fourth goal for Nashville with a stunning volley from distance to make it 4-2. Despite several promising moments in attack, the Black-and-Red couldn’t find the back of the net as Nashville pulled away late, ending the match at 5-2 after an 87th minute goal from substitute Walker Zimmerman.
With the loss, D.C. United’s 2025 Open Cup journey comes to an end. The team now returns its focus to league action, preparing for a cross-country matchup against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park (10:30 PM EST).
D.C. United Lineup: Jun-Hong Kim, Kye Rowles, Lucas Bartlett, Matti Peltola, David Schnegg (Jared Stroud,79’), Boris Enow (Jackson Hopkins, 85’), Brandon Servania, Aaron Herrera, João Peglow, Christian Benteke (Dominque Badji, 67’), Gabriel Pirani (Randall Leal, 79’)
Unused Substitutes: Jordan Farr, Connor Antley, Hosei Kijima
Head Coach: Troy Lesesne
Nashville SC Lineup: Brian Schwake, Daniel Lovitz, Jack Maher, Jeisson Palacios (Walker Zimmerman (83’), Andy Nájar (Josh Bauer (90’), Alex Muyl (Ahmed Quesem (73’), Edvard Tagseth(Patrick Yazbek (84’), Gaston Brugman, Jonathan Perez, Sam Surridge (Teal Bunbury (90’), Hany Mukhtar
Unused Substitutes: Xavier Valdez, Matthew Corcoran,
Head Coach: BJ Callaghan
