US Open Cup Match Preview: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC
Wednesday evening in the Sunshine State brings a Southeastern derby in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 between Nashville SC and Orlando City SC. Let’s get the tale of the tape.
Match Details
Date: Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Time: 7:30PM EST (local), 6:30PM CST (Nashville)
Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Watch: Paramount+
Head Coaches: Oscar Pareja (ORL), B.J. Callaghan (NSH)
The History
Without waxing lyrical about the full history between these clubs, which includes two different matchups in the playoffs in MLS in 2021 and 2023, we’re going to focus on the last time these clubs met in this competition, the 2022 US Open Cup Quarterfinal, also at what was then Exploria Stadium.
The scoring was opened by the visiting Nashville through Hany Mukhtar in the 52nd minute, before a Rodrigo Schlegel equalizer at the death in the 94th minute rescued the hopes for the host Orlando.
A scoreless extra time made way for penalties, where Pedro Gallese played the hero, giving the win to Orlando after saving Eric Miller’s penalty in the seventh round of spot kicks. The Lions would of course go on to lift the 2022 Open Cup after defeating Sacramento Republic at home in the final.
Orlando Lineup Prediction
Our own Ken Garner’s got a full plate at the moment with other clubs in the Sunshine State, or he’d have a better handle on this than I do, but long story short, I don’t expect either team to rotate whatsoever.
Orlando had their game against Inter Miami on Sunday in control early enough they could take their foot off the gas and manage the minutes, leaving the Lions likely looking full strength on Wednesday.
This leaves Pedro Gallese in goal, with David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel and Alex Freeman ahead of him. Freeman has grown into one of the best fullbacks in MLS in a very short time, which has nothing to do with the lineup I just wanted to interject my own praise for him.
In midfield, it’s Cesar Araujo partnering with Joran Gerbet, and they support a front four of Martin Ojeda, Marco Pasalic, Juan Angulo and Luis Muriel, which has been one of the most dangerous attacks in MLS this season.
Nashville Lineup Prediction
I also don’t expect Nashville to rotate any, having done plenty of it from the start against DC United at the weekend.
Joe Willis should remain in goal, even though the first start of the tournament was handed to his understudy Brian Schwake. Ahead of him sits a back four of Dan Lovitz, Jack Maher, Jeisson Palacios and Andy Najar.
The midfield pairing of Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek remains unchanged from the weekend, and they support a full strength front four of Alex Muyl, Hany Mukhtar, Jacob Shaffelburg and Sam Surridge.
Analysis & Prediction
These clubs currently sit 4th and 5th in the Eastern Conference in league play, Inter Miami’s game in hand not withstanding. Both have demonstrated their pedigree as two of the best attacking sides in Major League Soccer, as well as two of the best defending sides in Major League Soccer.
Does the extra day of rest give Nashville an edge? Does homefield advantage for Orlando cancel that out? Both clubs have won three and drawn two of their last five, and in fact Orlando hasn’t lost a game since March 8th.
Temperature at kickoff is going to be in the high 80s, with relatively high humidity. This game could be an absolute slog. I’m calling for a repeat of the 2022 quarterfinal, with a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, with goals from Mukhtar and Muriel.
As for the penalty shootout? Flip a coin.