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CJ FODREY’S GUTSY GAME-WINNER IN EXTRA TIME SENDS AUSTIN FC TO FIRST U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL
2-1 Added Extra Time Victory Over Minnesota United Earns Los Verdes Right to Host Nashville SC in the Open Cup Final;
110th Tournament Final on Oct. 1 to Air Live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network
ST. PAUL, Minn. (September 17, 2025) – Ten days ago, CJ Fodrey scored his first goal in Major League Soccer, a late winner for Austin FC on the road in league play. Tonight, he found the perfect moment to score his first U.S. Open Cup goal, with much bigger stakes on the line and not a moment to spare.
In the dying minute of the second extra time period, tied 1-1 in the Semifinal Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it appeared MLS clubs Minnesota United and Austin FC were heading to penalty kicks. Then, Austin FC, fighting in a frenzied road environment, conjured the latest bit of Open Cup Magic. A rebounded shot came the way of Fodrey, who entered the match as a substitute in the 104th minute, and the 21-year-old forward knocked in the game-winner to send the Texan side through to their first Open Cup Final.
With the clutch finish, Austin FC claimed a hard-fought 2-1 road victory over the fellow Western Conference club at Allianz Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. Tonight’s victory continues the longest Open Cup run in Austin FC’s five-year history and gives Los Verdes the right to host the tournament’s Final in two weeks’ time.
Austin FC will welcome Nashville SC to Q2 Stadium in the Texas capital on Wednesday, Oct. 1, to determine which side will put the first piece of hardware in their club’s trophy case. The 110th edition of U.S. Soccer’s Club Championship will culminate with an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff that will air live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network.
2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Results/Schedule – Semifinals
Matchday #2 – Wednesday, September 17
Minnesota United FC 1-1, 1-2 (aet) Austin FC
Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.
Matchday #1 – Tuesday, September 16
Nashville SC 3-1 Philadelphia Union
GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn.
2025 U.S. Open Cup Recap – Semifinal Round
Matchday #2 – Wednesday, September 17
Minnesota United FC (MLS) 1-1, 1-2 (aet) Austin FC (MLS)
These two attack-minded Western Conference clubs excel at possession with a purpose, which was on display in the opening minutes with Austin FC holding more of the ball and Minnesota United taking pride in the counter. One of those counterattacks produced the first shot of the match in the fifth minute. MNUFC midfielder Robin Lod showed deft foot skills inside the box, chipping the ball to clear space from two Austin defenders, but his shot went wide.
The tables turned in the following 15-minute stretch, and Minnesota was everywhere in attack – possessing the ball, creating dangerous chances and rousing the home supporters. Lod created another moment in the 12th minute, getting on the end of a first-time through ball from striker Kelvin Yeboah. Austin blocked the Finland native’s firm strike to result in back-to-back corner kicks for the home side. The Loons followed it up with a volley from midfielder Joaquín Pereyra in the 14th minute and another look from Lod, after he expertly flicked the ball to himself for a left-footed strike, but he again knocked his shot wide.
The Verde & Black crawled back as the first half progressed, including a ball served on a platter from wingback Žan Komanič that striker Myrto Uzuni couldn’t hit cleanly from close range. Just as it appeared the two sides would head into the halftime break scoreless, Austin FC scored the go-ahead goal. Winger Owen Wolff played a long ball over the top for Osman Bukari into space on the right side of the pitch. The forward tracked it down and teed up his shot from about 10 yards out with one dribble, delivering a low strike with enough force to squeeze through the legs of Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and evade captain Michael Boxall’s sliding attempt to save it from trickling over the goal line.
The stoppage-time goal left the home side with a deficit heading into the second act, but head coach Eric Ramsay’s group looked intent to add to their six first-half shots and find one to convert. On that note, MNUFC began the half lively with a flurry of chances, picking up the urgency and testing Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
One of those chances paid off for the Loons doing what they do best – converting on set pieces. After Austin FC committed a foul, United were awarded a direct free kick 25 yards away from goal. Pereyra delivered the kick with confidence and pace, swerving the ball skillfully around Austin’s wall. The stunning strike froze Stuver and curled beautifully into the back of the net to equalize the match in the 67th minute.
Bukari would’ve notched his second goal of the night if weren’t for the heroics of St. Clair between the sticks for Minnesota. Making another blistering run in Minnesota’s attacking third, Bukari received a long pass, then cut the ball back in a terrific display of control. His right-footed strike from about eight yards out was on target, but St. Clair reacted quickly, lifting his right glove in time to block the shot.
Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, two extra 15-minute periods were added to determine which team would advance and host the Open Cup Final. Extra time was cagey as both teams approached the 30 minutes with patience, looking to capitalize on their scant moments. Minnesota nearly found the game-winner in the 117th minute when second-half substitute Dominik Fitz played a brilliant through ball that put Bongokuhle Hlongwane on a clear path to go 1v1 with Stuver, whose massive save kept the match even – for the moment.
With no stoppage time expected and the match entering the 120th and final minute of play, second-half substitute Jon Gallagher lifted a cross into the box that Uzuni headed on goal. The shot required a quick save from St. Clair, but the rebound bounced high in the area. CJ Fodrey was in perfect position to knock down the bounce with his laces, with his second career goal in just 10 days’ time sending Nico Estevez’s squad through to the Open Cup Final.
U.S. Open Cup Match Report | Semifinal Round
Match: Minnesota United vs. Austin FC
Date: September 17, 2025
Competition: U.S. Open Cup Semifinal – West Bracket
Venue: Allianz Field; St. Paul, Minn.
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 74 degrees, cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 OT1 OT2 F
MIN 0 1 0 0 1
ATX 1 0 0 1 2
ATX – Osman Bukari (Owen Wolff) 45+4 minute
MIN – Joaquín Pereyra 67
ATX – CJ Fodrey 120
Lineups:
MIN: 97-Dayne St. Clair, 5-Nicolás Romero (23-Morris Duggan, 83), 15-Michael Boxall (captain), 28-Jefferson Díaz (98-Darius Randell, 90); 13- Anthony Markanich (7-Dominik Fitz, 61), 25-Nectarios Triantis (24-Julian Gressel, 61), 20-Wil Trapp (30-Owen Gene, 83), 21-Bongokuhle Hlongwane; 17-Robin Lod, 9- Kelvin Yeboah (8-Joseph Rosales, 29), 26-Joaquín Pereyra
Substitutes not used: 1-Alec Smir
Head coach: Eric Ramsay
ATX: 1-Brad Stuver; 35-Mateja Đorđević (5-Oleksandr Svatok, 104), 18-Julio Cascante, 4-Brendan Hines-Ike; 3-Mikkel Desler (17-Jon Gallagher, 64), 6-Ilie Sanchez (14-Besard Sabovic, 83); 8-Dani Pereira, 23-Zan Kolmanic (29-Guilherme Biro, 83); 33-Owen Wolff (19-CJ Fodrey, 104), 11-Osman Bukari (21-Diego Rubio, 96); 10-Myrto Uzuni
Substitutes not used: 30-Stefan Cleveland
Head coach: Nico Estévez
Stats Summary: MIN ATX
Shots: 22 13
Shots on Goal: 5 6
Saves: 4 4
Corner Kicks: 6 2
Fouls: 18 16
Offside: 1 2
Misconduct Summary:
ATX — Osman Bukari (Caution) 24th minute
MIN — Jefferson Díaz (Caution) 34
ATX — Dani Pereira (Caution) 45+2
ATX — Brendan Hines-Ike (Caution) 60
MIN — Joaquín Pereyra (Caution) 114
ATX — CJ Fodrey (Caution) 120+1
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