After several months, the U.S. Open Cup is finally back. We’re down to the semifinals now as an Eastern Conference fixture and a Western Conference matchup will decide the finalists this Wednesday. The attention first turns to Ohio as Columbus Crew host Orlando City. Two sides that have been trending in opposite directions battle in the nation’s oldest ongoing soccer competition.
Match Details
Who: Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City
What: U.S. Open Cup Semifinal
Where: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
When: Wednesday September 16, 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
Watch: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, Fubo Sports
Capitulating Crew Hope To Salvage Season
Last time Columbus Crew had a U.S. Open Cup match, it was the debut of newly appointed manager Laurent Courtois. They had a rough start to the season under Henrik Rydström and sacked him early on, hoping to change their fortunes. Unfortunately for Crew fans, their fortunes may have gotten worse.
The only positive so far during Courtois’s tenure has been the cup runs. He won his first match in charge against NYCFC, which put Columbus into the semifinal of the Open Cup that they play on Wednesday. They also had a solid Leagues Cup campaign, winning eight of nine points in the first phase before losing to Club América in the quarterfinals. In MLS, it’s been a disaster. The Crew have lost six of their last seven league matches with the only win coming over Colorado Rapids. What makes it worse is that all those losses were against conference opponents. Columbus have now languished to 13th place in the East.
With the lack of success in MLS, the U.S. Open Cup is now the Crew’s last chance to somewhat salvage their season. A playoff push looks like a near impossible task but ending the year with a trophy would be a nice silver lining. New signing Santiago RodrÃguez will be crucial if they are to advance to the final. Since joining from Brazilian club Botafogo, the winger has scored twice in three matches. His success hasn’t translated to results just yet, but this semifinal is the perfect time for that to change.
Orlando Enjoying Incredible Turnaround
Orlando City’s start to 2026 was very similar to the Crew’s. Longtime manager Oscar Pareja was given his marching orders after a horrendous start with the Lions conceding goals left and right. Martin Perelman was his replacement and actually picked up his first point during Orlando’s last match against Columbus.
The second half of the season has been a complete 180 for Orlando. They’ve gone from 12th in the East with no real upside to one of the most fun teams to watch in MLS. Orlando is now up to sixth place in the conference and have especially turned it up lately. The Lions are unbeaten in their last five games, winning four and drawing one. They are looking like a force to be reckoned with and most of their success can be attributed to one man: Antoine Griezmann.
Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer officially joined the club during the World Cup break after agreeing to sign back in March. Since his arrival, the World Cup winner has unsurprisingly been one of the best players in the league. He’s scored nine goals and provided three assists, instantly sparking life into the Orlando attack. Seven of those goals and two of those assists have come in the last six matches. Griezmann has formed an extremely fun partnership with homegrown striker Justin Ellis. The 19 year old has tapped into his playmaking side as Griezmann does the finishing, providing an assist in each of his last four games. Those two will be formidable foes for the Columbus defense.
Match Prediction
Looking at recent form for both sides, this match can really only go one way. Columbus does have the home advantage and their players will be up for the match with so much on the line, but Orlando have been one of the best teams in the country lately. Griezmann and Ellis will continue their torrid form and take Orlando City to the U.S. Open Cup final.
Prediction: Columbus Crew 1-3 Orlando City
Braden Hines is a writer and data analyst with a passion for U.S. Soccer. Runs American Ultras Talk on YouTube and X. Works for Carolina Ascent FC and Syracuse Men’s Soccer.
