Nashville Soccer Club earned a 1-0 victory over San Antonio FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at GEODIS Park. Ethan Zubak scored the winning goal for Nashville SC in the second half, while goalkeeper Elliot Panicco recorded the shutout.

The U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 Draw will be held Thursday, April 27 at 1 p.m. CT, streaming live on the B/R App and B/R Football YouTube Channel.

Zubak Does It Again: Nashville SC forward Ethan Zubak scored the game-winning goal in the 71^st minute of play, marking the second consecutive season he has recorded the game winning goal. In the club’s first Open Cup match at GEODIS Park, Zubak scored in extra-time last season to lift Nashville SC over Atlanta United FC in the Round of 32.

Magic Of The Cup: Nashville SC’s two Open Cup matches at GEODIS Cup have come with wins. The victory over San Antonio FC also keeps Nashville SC unbeaten against USL Championship sides as an MLS club (also defeated Louisville City FC last season in the Round of 16).

The Pathway To the Pros: Huntsville City FC midfielder Joey DeZart made his Nashville SC debut as a substitute to secure the shutout. Huntsville City FC serves as Nashville’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate. DeZart has appeared in all five matches for Huntsville City FC this season.

Welcome Atlanta United FC: Nashville SC will host Atlanta United FC at GEODIS Park on Saturday, April 29 at 12:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on the MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App, FOX and Fox Deportes. Tickets are available by visiting www.NashvilleSC.com/Tickets.

Match Timeline:

NSH 71’: Fafà Picault takes the ball deep into San Antonio FC territory to bring the goalkeeper off the line and sends the ball across the box for Ethan Zubak to send into the goal

Notes:

• Nashville SC:

• • has not lost since Aug. 8, 2021 when scoring first in all competitions
  • owns a 4W-0L-1D record this season and a 34W-4L-15D record historically when scoring first across all competitions
  • has allowed just two goals at GEODIS Park this season
  • will head to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 for the second consecutive season
• vs. next opponent, Saturday, April 29: Atlanta United FC
  • has not lost to Atlanta United FC since Aug. 8, 2020
  • owns a 2W-2L-3D record against them in MLS regular season series history
  • will be looking for its first MLS regular season win over Atlanta at GEODIS Park in series history (0W-0L-1D)
• Joey DeZart made his Nashville SC debut as a second half sub
• Josh Bauer recorded his first Nashville SC start
• Jack Maher led the defense with nine clearances
• Elliot Panicco
  • recorded his first start of the season, and fifth appearance all time for Nashville SC
  • has started three matches for Nashville SC in Open Cup play
  • recorded five saves to earn his first clean sheet for the Boys in Gold
• Fafà Picault recorded his second assist of the season
• Laurence Wyke made his Nashville SC debut as a starter
• Ethan Zubak led the team in shots (3)

Box Score:

Nashville SC vs. San Antonio FC

April 26, 2023 – GEODIS Park

Final Score

NSH: 1

SA: 0

Scoring Summary

NSH: Ethan Zubak (A: Fafà Picault) 71’

Discipline

SA: Kimarni Smith (caution) 33’

SA: Lamar Batista (caution) 61’

SA: Jorge Hernández (caution) 79’

NSH: Fafà Picault (caution) 88’

Lineups:  
NSH Starters: Elliot Panicco; Josh Bauer, Jack Maher (Dan Lovitz, 45’), Taylor Washington; Tah Brian Anunga, Ján Greguš (C), Luke Haakenson (Shaq Moore, 81’), Alex Muyl (Fafà Picault, 45’), Jacob Shaffelburg (Teal Bunbury, 61’), Laurence Wyke; Ethan Zubak (Joey DeZart, 81’)

Substitutes: Ben Martino, Chrisnovic N’sa

SA Starters: Jordan Farr; Zico Bailey (Carter Manley, 76’), Lamar Batista, Fabien Garcia (C), Shannon Gomez, Roman Holt (Connor Maloney, 33’); Jacori Hayes, David Loera (Samuel Adeniran, 59’); Kai Koreniuk (Cristian Parano, 45’), Kimarni Smith (Jorge Hernández, 74’), Ignacio Bailone

Substitutes: Eduardo Fernandez, Jose Carlos Mercado

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

Attendance: 5,467

Weather: Clear, 63 Degrees    

Nashville SC joined Major League Soccer on Feb. 29, 2020 in front of the largest attendance ever recorded for a soccer match in the State of Tennessee. In its inaugural MLS season, Nashville SC defeated expectations by becoming the second MLS expansion side to win and advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville SC returned to the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in its sophomore season after becoming just the seventh team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home in a season. Nashville SC inaugurated GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada, in front of a 30,109-sellout crowd on May 1, 2022. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.