Overview

• Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring, Brian Schwake saved an early Myrto Uzuni penalty, Uzuni leveled in first‑half stoppage time, and Sam Surridge buried a 60th‑minute spot kick for the winner.
• Surridge was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card for time wasting, but Nashville saw out a 2-1 result at Q2 Stadium.
• The final featured the Open Cup’s first all‑woman on‑field officiating crew, with Tori Penso as referee and Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt as assistants.
• The title has been described as the first top‑tier professional sports championship for the state of Tennessee.
• Both recent MLS expansion teams were chasing a first major honor, with host Austin’s dramatic cup run ending as Nashville claimed the trophy, $600,000 in prize money, and continental qualification.