MLS All-Stars celebrate a goal in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfieler Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire FC (77) hurdles a Liga MX defender in the box in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Young fans try to get the attention of Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known on Youtube as IShowSpeed, as he appears on the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star defender Max Arfsten of Columbus Crew (27) hurdles over a defender to bring the ball down the line in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfielder Obed Vargas of Seattle Sounders FC (14) gets help up from a teammate in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Liga MX midfielder Alejandro Zendejas of Club América (16) falls during a collision with MLS All-Star Guilherme Birohalf of Austin FC (2) in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfielder Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake (8) prepares to take a corner kick in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfieler Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire FC (77) lines up a shot between Liga MX defenders in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Liga MX All-Stars and MLS All-Stars battle for the ball near midfield in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver of Austin FC (1) throws the ball out in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Liga MX midfielder Roberto Alvarado of Chivas Guadalajara (25) sends a cross into the box in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known on Youtube as IShowSpeed, makes an appearance on the field ahead of the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known on Youtube as IShowSpeed, makes an appearance on the field ahead of the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Soccer fans take their seats ahead of the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver of Austin FC (1) waits to take the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver of Austin FC (1) takes the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfielder Evander da Silva Ferreira of FC Cincinnati (19) takes the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star midfieler Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire FC (77) controls the ball in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
A car is decorated with the Major League Soccer logo ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
A fan wears an Argentina uniform with Lionel Messi’s team ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025. Despite being named to the roster, the international star was not in attendance.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Fans wearing Inter Miami jerseys find their seats ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
A fan wears an Argentina uniform with Lionel Messi’s team ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025. Despite being named to the roster, the international star was not in attendance.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
A fan wears a shirt with Lionel Messi’s team ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025. Despite being named to the roster, the international star was not in attendance.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star forward Hirving Lozano of San Diego FC (11) controls the ball under pressure in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star forward Sam Surridge of Nashville SC (98) vies for the ball under pressure from Liga MX midfielder Sergio Ramos of CF Monterrey (10) in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Liga MX defender Jesús Gallardo of Toluca (20) misses a header as MLS All-Star defender Andy Najar of Nashville SC (31) looks on in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star defender Michael Boxall of Minnesota United (15) contests the referee’s call in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Stars celebrate a goal in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star defenders Tristan Blackmon of Vancouver Whitecaps FC (33) and Kai Wagner of Philadelphia Union (28) fend off defense from Liga MX midfielder Roberto Alvarado of Chivas Guadalajara (25) in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Liga MX midfielder Roberto Alvarado of Chivas Guadalajara (25) and MLS All-Star defender Tristan Blackmon of Vancouver Whitecaps FC (33) vie for control of the ball in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver of Austin FC (1) comes out of the game in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Fans watch the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star defender Max Arfsten of Columbus Crew (27) controls the ball in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
A Liga MX player controls the ball in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
sara diggins
MLS All-Star midfielder Cristian Espinoza of San Jose Earthquakes (32) gets around defense from Liga MX defender Sebastián Cáceres of Club América (5) in the first half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Star goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka of Vancouver Whitecaps FC (23) comes off the line to make a save in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
sara diggins
MLS All-Star midfielder Cristian Espinoza of San Jose Earthquakes (32) brings the ball up the line in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
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MLS All-Star forward Diego Rossi of Columbus Crew (17) outruns defense from Liga MX in the second half of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorn basketball players Madison Booker, left, Rori Harmon and Shaylee Gonzales take a photo on the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
MLS All-Stars warm up ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Young fans try to get the attention of Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known on Youtube as IShowSpeed, as he appears on the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Fans get a photo with Darren Jason Watkins Jr, known on Youtube as IShowSpeed, as he appears on the field ahead of the 2025 MLS All-Star at Q2 Stadium in Austin, July 23, 2025.
Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
Ilie Sánchez knows the emotions will come. He just doesn’t know what they’ll be.
With Austin FC hosting Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday in what is the pinnacle home games of the clubs’ first five seasons, Sánchez is one of several players on the Verde & Black who has previously played in a trophy match.
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And while there’s obviously a different vibe and pressure to a cup final than any other contest on the schedule, Sanchez noted Monday that his prior experience may not apply when the game kicks off.
“The interesting thing is that every final is different,” said Sánchez, who helped LAFC win the MLS Cup in 2022 and, along with forward Diego Rubio, won the U.S. Open Cup with Kansas City in 2017. “I can’t tell you how the game will go or what I will feel (before the game). It’s special and an opportunity that we are all excited about, and we need to make the most out of it. But you have to be focused and resilient with anything that comes your way.”
There’s no downplaying the opportunity this game presents for Austin FC. Lifting a major trophy — the U.S. Open Cup is the country’s oldest knockout tournament, first crowning a champion in 1914 — in its fifth year would be the biggest moment in its history and, as head coach Nico Estévez has noted, give the club legitimacy around MLS.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Myrto Uzuni #10 of Austin FC and Osman Bukari #11 of Austin FC clap hands after Myrto Uzuni #10 of Austin FC scores a goal assisted by Osman Bukari #11 of Austin FC during the match between Austin FC and the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images)
Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images
“The (U.S. Open Cup) is a very historic competition in the U.S., and the domestic cup is important around the world,” said Estévez, who in his first year leading the club also has it in line for an MLS playoff berth. “To be the ones that win the (club’s) first trophy would be really special.”
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AUSTIN FC VS. NASHVILLE SC
When/where: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Q2 Stadium
TV/radio: Paramount+; 97.5 FM, 104.3 FM (Spanish)
Austin FC players have admittedly had their eye on this game for at least a week — goalie Brad Stuver noted Thursday that it “was definitely on our minds” — and Estévez started a lineup of mostly reserves in Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Real Salt Lake. Though players such as Mikkel Desler (France), Osman Bukari (Serbia) and Myrto Uzuni (Albania) have won domestic cups before, the game is especially meaningful for Stuver, Dani Pereira, Jon Gallagher, Owen Wolff, Žan Kolmanič and Julio Cascante, who have been with the club since its inaugural season.
“This is what we’ve dreamed of,” Pereira said.
Q2 Stadium should have a capacity crowd, and though playing a final at home is an advantage, Sánchez said that comes more into play in the second half.
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“I’ve played in finals both at home and on the road, and the preparation for the game is harder at home because you have to balance the attention you get from media, family and friends,” he said. “We need to start strong at the beginning because that will help us at the end with the home crowd.”
MORE: Brad Stuver signs MLS contract extension with Verde & Black
With or without Mikkel Desler, Austin FC’s defense should change
Estévez spoke in broad terms about the availability of Desler, the team’s starting right back, for the game without ever mentioning him by name. He said “everyone was available” after Monday’s practice, but that the coaching staff would have to see how players “responded to training.”
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Desler left late in the first half Sept. 21 of the team’s 2-1 win over Seattle with an injury and hasn’t played since. Expect to see Gallagher at right back if Desler can’t go.
Though Austin FC has used five defenders the last three games, don’t look for that to continue. In a cup final at home, Estévez is more likely to use an attacking-oriented formation and his traditional four-man backline.
Austin FC’s offensive struggles a thing of the spring
Though the Verde & Black’s season-long offensive numbers are still lacking — it has the lowest number of goals in the Western Conference in league play — the attack has been solid since the calendar turned to June. And while no one will mistake it for scoring juggernauts like LAFC or Vancouver, Austin FC has scored at least two goals in 11 of its last 16 matches. In its four U.S. Open Cup matches, it has found the net 10 times.
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“The players put a lot of focus on that,” Estévez said. “We’ve made some tweaks (since May). … It’s difficult when you aren’t getting good results to keep going and responding … and we’ve done a good job of responding in tough moments. Seasons are not always in one direction. There are a lot of ups and downs.”
MORE: What could have been and never was for team’s use of the MLS transfer window
A look at Nashville SC
Forward Sam Surridge and midfielder Hany Mukhtar give Nashville a potent attack.
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Surridge, who played for notable British clubs AFC Bournemouth, Swansea City, Stoke City and Nottingham Forest before being bought by Nashville in the 2023 summer transfer window, is third in MLS with 22 goals. He tallied a hat trick in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Philadelphia and is arguably the league’s top forward.
Mukhtar may not be the player he was in 2022 when he scored 23 goals and tallied 11 assists on his way to league MVP honors, but he isn’t far off. He has 16 goals and 11 assists and is one of the better second options in MLS.
Estévez, however, noted that the duo’s production is due to Nashville’s quality team-wide.
“They’re dangerous as a collective,” he said. “(Nashville SC coach B.J. Callaghan) has done a good job. … We have to force them into mistakes.”
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ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 17: Osman Bukari #11 of Austin FC celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Minnesota United during the first half of the US Open Cup Semifinal at Allianz Field on September 17, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/USSF/Getty Images)
Brace Hemmelgarn/USSF/Getty Images
Austin FC predicted starting lineup
Forward: Myrto Uzuni, Diego Rubio
Midfield: Owen Wolff, Ilie Sánchez, Dani Pereira, Osman Bukari
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Defense: Guilherme Biro, Brendan Hines-Ike, Oleksandr Svatok, Jon Gallagher
Austin FC vs. Nashville SC prediction
Austin FC 2, Nashville SC 2 (4-3): Expect this final to end in dramatic fashion in a penalty shootout with Stuver playing the hero. Stuver is 2-0 in shootouts for Austin FC, with wins coming in the 2022 playoffs against Real Salt Lake and this year’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal versus San Jose.
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