There are moments in sports that transcend the scoreline, moments that mark a turning point in a club’s history—and Wednesday night in St. Paul was precisely that for Austin FC. The Major League Soccer side, only in its fifth year of existence, delivered high-stakes drama and etched its name into the annals of U.S. Open Cup history with a stunning 2-1 victory over Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field. For the first time, Austin FC will host a major final, welcoming Nashville SC to Q2 Stadium on October 1 for the 2025 U.S. Open Cup Final. The stakes? A first-ever trophy for the Verde & Black and a coveted spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
It was a night that had everything—tension, heartbreak, and a finish that will be replayed by Austin fans for years to come. The match was deadlocked at 1-1 for nearly an hour, each side probing for weaknesses but finding none. As the extra time minutes ticked away, it seemed inevitable that a penalty shootout would be required to separate these two Western Conference rivals. But soccer, as it so often does, had one last twist in store.
With just seconds remaining, Austin FC surged forward. Midfielder Jon Gallagher controlled a high ball with his chest and, on the bounce, sent a hopeful cross into the box. Myrto Uzuni met it with a sharp header, forcing a reflex save from Minnesota’s Dayne St. Clair. The ball spilled loose in the six-yard box, and there—poised, alert, and ready—was CJ Fodrey. The 21-year-old forward, who had just scored his first MLS goal ten days earlier, pounced on the rebound and blasted it into the net at the 119:51 mark. It was, according to official records, the latest goal in Austin FC’s short but eventful history.
"It’s a special moment," said Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez after the match. "[It means] everything. For everyone that works for the club – for every player, every staff member, the fans, all the families – it’s an important moment for the history of the club." The goal was more than a match-winner; it was a statement of intent from a club determined to forge a new legacy.
Fodrey’s rise has been meteoric. On September 7, he scored his first MLS goal, nodding in a header from an Owen Wolff corner to help Austin FC defeat Sporting Kansas City 2-1. Now, just ten days later, he’s the hero of the club’s most significant victory to date. "He’s a great, great kid," Estévez said of his young striker. "He works hard. He wants to improve. He wants to get better. He has that physicality, that speed. He also has the willingness to run into the box, to have a presence in the box and to score goals. He’s been working really hard the whole year, and now every day of training is paying off for him."
The win over Minnesota United FC not only propelled Austin FC to their first major final but also secured home field advantage for the championship match. The final will be played at Q2 Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Fans unable to attend in person can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+, ensuring that this historic night will be witnessed across the country.
Tickets for the final have been in high demand. Members of the Oak Collective Waitlist were given early access to a pre-sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, with public sales opening the following morning. The home crowd is expected to provide a raucous backdrop as Austin FC seeks to lift the oldest trophy in American soccer—the U.S. Open Cup, now in its 110th edition. The single-elimination tournament, which features 96 teams from across the professional, semi-professional, and amateur ranks, is a grueling test of endurance and depth. For Austin FC, reaching the final is a testament to how far the club has come in a short time.
The road here hasn’t been easy. Since joining MLS in 2021, Austin FC has experienced more than its share of growing pains. The club missed the MLS Cup Playoffs three out of four seasons, including a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Western Conference last year with an 11-14-9 record. In 2024, they finished 12th. But 2025 has brought a renewed sense of purpose. As of September 17, the Verde & Black sat seventh in the Western Conference—five spots below Minnesota, their semifinal victims—and have already matched last season’s win total with games still to play.
"We’re a very young team. Lately, we haven’t had these experiences," Estévez admitted. "We’re coming from a difficult season also with ups and downs. To have the opportunity to play a final this year is huge." The players know what’s at stake. As goalkeeper Brad Stuver, a standout performer throughout the cup run, put it leaving the locker room at Allianz Field: there’s more history to be made.
Their opponents, Nashville SC, booked their ticket to the final with a victory over Philadelphia Union on September 16. Led by the prolific Sam Surridge, the current MLS Golden Boot leader, Nashville presents a formidable challenge. Austin FC’s defense will need to be at its sharpest to contain Surridge and company, but the comfort of playing in front of their own fans could prove decisive.
The excitement in Austin is palpable. This will be the club’s first appearance in a major final and the first time Q2 Stadium hosts such a high-profile event. The winner will not only claim the U.S. Open Cup trophy but also punch their ticket to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, opening doors to international competition and greater exposure for the club and its players.
For the city of Austin, for the club’s passionate supporters, and for the players and staff who’ve weathered the ups and downs of a young franchise, October 1 promises to be a night to remember. The journey to this point has been anything but straightforward, but with one more hurdle to clear, Austin FC stands on the brink of sporting immortality.
With the final just around the corner, all eyes turn to Q2 Stadium and the Verde & Black. Will Austin FC seize their moment and lift their first major trophy, or will Nashville SC spoil the party? One thing is certain: the 2025 U.S. Open Cup Final is set to deliver another unforgettable chapter in American soccer history.
