Nashville SC Beats FC Dallas 2-0, Set To Play Inter Miami In Open Cup Round Of 16

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Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Nashville SC has punched their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 after defeating FC Dallas 2-0 at GEODIS Park on Wednesday night (May 10) with goals from Fafa Picault and Alex Muyl.

Wednesday’s game also marked Head Coach Gary Smith‘s 400th career match. Smith, whose 400 matches span five different squads and four different professional leagues, has earned results in 281 of those matches.

Next up, the Boys in Gold will face Inter Miami on either May 23 or 24 at DRV PNK Stadium in the Round of 16, putting them just four wins away from their first major trophy.

Against Dallas, Nashville started off very slow with a lineup of players who haven’t played much such as Brian Anunga, Ethan Zubak and Josh Bauer. However, Smith’s substitutions with Muyl, Luke Haakenson and Jack Maher at halftime really allowed Nashville to pick up the pace and capitalize on their momentum.

“It’s very important to the group, for the team, for the club to move forward and advance,” said Picault postgame. “Obviously these games are never easy, no matter who you’re playing against. It’s one and done, so every time you can advance it’s huge for the group and for the confidence, and it also helps us with the league confidence-wise and for every player all around. So we want to just keep doing this and now we’ll focus our attention on Saturday’s game.”

Opportunities to open up presented themselves and Nashville’s offense consistently put pressure on the Dallas defense. Picault scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 63rd minute, while Muyl scored the insurance goal in the 76th minute. Both goals were brilliant solo takes showcasing each players finesse.

The U.S. Open Cup draw from this afternoon (May 11) placed Nashville in a group with Inter Miami, Charlotte FC and USL club Birmingham Legion FC. If Nashville beats Miami, they will face Charlotte or Birmingham and will visit the club.

Steven Boero
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