Nashville edges Orlando 3-2 in U.S. Open Cup, ending Lions’ 12-match unbeaten run

What happened

Nashville SC eliminated Orlando City SC from the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-2 victory at Inter&Co Stadium on May 21, 2025, advancing to the tournament’s quarterfinals. The loss ended Orlando’s 12-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, a run that matched the club record.

Match snapshot: five goals, one own goal, and a late winner

Orlando struck first in the 17th minute when Marco Pašalić finished from the right side after receiving a pass from defender Alex Freeman. Nashville equalized six minutes later on an own goal credited to Orlando defender Rodrigo Schlegel after a low ball was played into the six-yard area and deflected into the net.

Nashville took the lead in the 40th minute through Ahmed Qasem, who carried the ball into the box and placed a low shot into the corner after a pass from midfielder Matthew Corcoran. Orlando responded early in the second half: Ramiro Enrique made it 2-2 in the 58th minute on a first-touch finish, with Pašalić providing the assist. The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute, when defender Wyatt Meyer scored Nashville’s winning goal, assisted by Patrick Yazbek.

Key figures and turning points

• Marco Pašalić: scored once and assisted Enrique’s equalizer, directly contributing to both Orlando goals.
• Wyatt Meyer: scored the match winner and recorded his first career goal in U.S. Open Cup play.
• Matthew Corcoran: assisted Qasem’s first-half goal as Nashville turned early adversity into a halftime lead.

Scoring sequence: Pašalić (17’), Schlegel own goal (23’), Qasem (40’), Enrique (58’), Meyer (79’).

What it means

For Nashville, the result secured a place in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals and reinforced an extended positive run across competitions at that point in the season. For Orlando, the loss halted a lengthy unbeaten stretch overall, even as the club’s league form remained intact heading into the next MLS matchday.

What comes next

Orlando stayed home to return to MLS action by hosting the Portland Timbers on May 24, 2025. Nashville’s schedule turned back to league play with an away match at Toronto FC the same day.