The US Open Cup semi-final is set to be a memorable night. Nashville SC will welcome the Philadelphia Union to GEODIS Park, and it will be a charged atmosphere. This is not just a game; it is a contest of style, tactics, and pure determination where every pass, tackle, and shot might impact the game shift in a moment.
Match Details
- Date: September 17th, 2025
- Time: 12:00 AM (UTC)
- Location: GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Nashville SC: Home Ground, High Stakes
Nashville SC has had results in recent MLS matches that have been all over the place, but it will be hard to argue how powerful it is to play at home. GEODIS Park is not just a stadium; it is a fortress. With the fans roaring, the floodlights shining on the pitch, and the energy in the air, it makes it the ideal setting for a semi-final match to be played.
Manager BJ Callaghan will deploy his team in a fast 4-5-1 that is capable of both dominating the midfield and countering quickly and effectively. The spearhead of the Nashville attack will be Sam Surridge, who is primed to take advantage of any weakness on the part of Philadelphia's defensive players. Hany Mukhtar will be the brain, threading balls into Sam or finding the next guy in the attack, leaving Philadelphia's defence collapsing inward.
On the defensive end, Nashville features two unlikely players in the back, Walker Zimmerman and Joe Willis, as the last line of defence. If Nashville's forwards are able to pierce Philadelphia's backline, it could be an unforgettable night in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Stars Are Ready to Shine
Sam Surridge: The poacher and opportunist at the front of goal, a guy that thrives on space and opportunity during Nashville's goal hunt.
Hany Mukhtar: The midfield magician, able to go from defence to attack while making opponents look foolish in a matter of seconds.
Walker Zimmerman and Joe Willis: The defensive linchpins who don't allow Nashville's defensive fortress to collapse.
Nashville's last 5 matches in MLS were mundane at best: 1 win and 4 losses while conceding 9 goals. However, at home, Nashville transforms into a completely different team. The visitors will have to think defensively about a home team that will be motivated and energetic and have the home crowd behind them to create an atmosphere that feels alive with the pulse of the stadium.
Philadelphia Union: The Merging of Precision and Power
The Union rolls in as a team in form. They have blended their solid defensive principles with their ability to attack with intent and precision. The 4-4-2 formation allows them to be organised when pressing and helps them transition into attack efficiently and exploit their opponents' defensive gaps. The Union's key man, Tai Baribo, leads the line as a constant aerial threat with a clinical finish. The wingbacks, Wagner and Harriel, add width and speed so that Nashville's defence cannot fully relax.
Midfielder Danley Jean Jacques and Quinn Sullivan act as the engine room of the team, controlling the tempo of play and connecting the defensive phase of play to the offensive. The Union is compact, tactical, and dangerous. A result away from home is not out of the question.
Players Who Could Change the Game
Tai Baribo, a striker who can head in key goals and create chaos inside the box.
Andrew Rick, a goalkeeper with a calm and commanding presence.
Jakob Glesnes, a defender who reads the game like a chess grandmaster.
The team has shown consistency, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The Union appear structured and disciplined, which will help them not buckle under pressure. They will invite pressure from Nashville before breaking with speed and precision.
Tactics and Battle Lines
The semi-final is more than a game, and you might as well set it up as a tactical battle where:
Nashville SC tries to control the midfield, get the fullbacks high, and attack the flanks. The speed of their outside backs and Mukhtar's creativity will put the Union's discipline to the test.
Philadelphia Union absorbs pressure, plays in tight lines, and preferably knocks Baribo loose for counterattacking opportunities. Speed of transition for either team will be a factor.
Key Battlegrounds:
Midfield dominance—Mukhtar vs. Sullivan & Jean Jacques
Wing superiority—Nashville's full-backs vs. Philadelphia's wingers
Set-piece strengths – An aerial presence for both
GEODIS Park: A Fortified Home Atmosphere
This place is far more than a stadium; it's an atmosphere. Nashville SC's home crowd is known for turning every instant into a narrative: with each cheer, the intensity builds on the field. Perfect weather for fast, attacking football with a clear sky, temperatures in the 60s, and nifty, light winds; everything about this semi-final will keep fans on edge.
Head-to-Head: Rivals Index to Index
Total matches: 12
Nashville wins: 4 | Philadelphia wins: 4 | Draws: 4
Last match: Nashville 1-0 Philadelphia (MLS, July 6, 2025)
This matchup is between rivals that are even, with past history showing the winner will be decided by a narrow margin. Even if both teams are capable of winning, the key players will be very close, so expect a game where a second of magic or a second of poor play will decide wins.
Prediction: There will be drama.
This is how the game might look:
- Early Pressure: At Home, Nashville takes advantage of pressing high, with opportunities for Surridge.
- Union Response: Philadelphia absorbs the pressure and looks to capitalise on fast transitions for any defensive mistakes.
- Climactic Finish: A 1-1 score line might see the game level for 80 minutes until a late counter or set play gives one team the chance for all three points.
- Predicted Score: Nashville SC 2-1 Philadelphia Union
- Betting Angle: Over 2.5 goals | Double chance: Nashville win or draw
Current Odds from Stake.com
A Night to Remember
Envision this: The stadium lights shine bright, and GEODIS Park is humming. Nashville kicks off, Mukhtar beats one and then two defenders, and makes a slide-rule pass to Surridge and that’s a GOAL! The Nashville crowd is up. Philadelphia responds; Baribo goes up and heads in the corner—1-1. Now it is down to the wire; the tension is alive in every second. Nashville makes a late counter; Mukhtar finds the space, and Surridge finishes clinically—2-1. The Nashville crowd is going bananas. A semi-final that will live long in the memory for the passion, the drama, and the most special moments that all Euro 2020 fans will recall.
