The oldest soccer competition in the nation culminates Wednesday night. Columbus Crew welcome St. Louis CITY to Ohio as they fight for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. It would be the first trophy in club history for St. Louis, while the more-decorated Crew are looking to win the domestic cup for the second time. When both teams entered the tournament in the round of 32, they were languishing towards the bottom of their respective conferences in MLS. Fortunes for St. Louis have since changed as they’re up to second in the West. Columbus hasn’t quite managed to turn their season around yet, but adding a trophy to the cabinet would certainly salvage what has been a disappointing year.
Match Details
What: U.S. Open Cup Final
Where: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
When: Wednesday October 21, 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Watch: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, Fubo Sports
How They Got to the U.S. Open Cup Finals
Columbus Crew are in a familiar position as they prepare to host the Open Cup final. They have hosted all of their fixtures in this tournament in 2026 outside of their first match, a comfortable 3-0 win over USL League One side Richmond Kickers in Virginia. The round of 16 brought another USLL1 club into the path of Columbus as they swept aside One Knoxville 4-1.
From that point on it got a little more challenging. MLS Eastern Conference foe NYCFC was the quarterfinal opponent for the Crew. Columbus controlled the match and advanced to the semis thanks to a Max Arfsten goal. In the semifinals, Columbus had to face a red-hot Orlando City team buoyed by the signing of Antoine Griezmann. However, it was their new signing Brais Méndez who was the difference, scoring the winner as the Crew marched onto the final.
Similarly to Columbus, the round of 32 didn’t cause many problems for St. Louis CITY. Two goals in each half were more than enough to dispatch USL Championship outfit FC Tulsa. The round of 16 was a bigger issue. Chicago Fire had just won five of their last six games and were hosting a St. Louis side that was winless in their most recent four MLS matches. Form went out the window late in the game as CITY scored two goals after the 70th minute to come from behind and win 2-1.
Their quarterfinal was another nailbiter. Marcel Hartel scored a brace for St. Louis but it wasn’t enough to get the job done as Houston Dynamo also found the net twice. Neither team could find a winner in extra time, so it went to a penalty shootout. Backup goalkeeper Ben Lundt was the hero for St. Louis. He saved two of Houston’s spot kicks to send his club to the semifinals. There they met the Rapids in Colorado. Despite only having 37% possession, CITY walked out as 3-0 victors.
Columbus Crew Turning Season Around
So far, 2026 has not gone anything like what Columbus Crew would have hoped for. They sacked the manager they hired before the season started, three important players have been sold, and they haven’t been anywhere near the playoff race. That is, until now. Something changed during the Crew’s Open Cup semifinal win over Orlando. Before that match, they had lost seven of their last eight games. Now they’ve won five of their last six and are 90 minutes away from a trophy.
After beating Griezmann and company, Columbus kicked into top gear. They started with a 2-0 win over Montreal, then shocked Inter Miami with a 99th minute winner from Jamal Thiaré. Orlando got their revenge with a 3-2 win in MLS play, but the Crew shook that off quickly. They rebounded last Wednesday with a 3-1 win over Charlotte. This past weekend was the cherry on top as they beat fierce rivals FC Cincinnati on the road. Suddenly, Columbus are just one point out of the playoffs.
One of the key reasons for the Crew’s late season surge has been homegrown midfielder Taha Habroune. His position has been shifted around all season but manager Laurent Courtois is getting the best out of him as a free number eight in the middle of the park. Habroune has scored in three straight matches for Columbus and also added an assist against Orlando in the league. His talent was just recognized by experts around the league as the 20 year old was named to the MLS 22 Under 22 list in 13th position, moving up from 22nd last year.
Historic Unbeaten Run Snapped For St. Louis
The second half of the season has been the stuff of dreams for St. Louis CITY. Early on in the year, 2026 looked like another lost season. The only bright spot was the run in the U.S. Open Cup. After May 3, everything changed. Yoann Damet’s side simply refused to lose. St. Louis went on a historic 21 match unbeaten run in all competitions, setting the record for an MLS club. They also matched the 19 game unbeaten record in just MLS play held by FC Dallas. That incredible streak catapulted them up from the bottom of the West all the way up to second. Everything was going right in the Gateway City.
But all good things must come to an end. Over the weekend, St. Louis traveled north to visit Minnesota United. The Loons had struggled at home all year, failing to win in 11 straight matches in league play at Allianz Field. They had the joint-worst home record in MLS. The stage was set for a St. Louis result, and City was cruising with a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes. However, it all fell apart in the second half. Minnesota scored three unanswered goals to stun the hottest team in the West and snap their streak. Now they need a response in their first ever final.
To win the first trophy in St. Louis CITY history, summer signings Rafael Navarro and Carlo Holse will have to be at their best. The acquisitions of the two attackers showed a statement of intent. Navarro has consistently been one of the best strikers in MLS since his breakout 2024 season and Holse was one of the top playmakers in the Turkish Süper Lig for Samsunspor. Both have hit the ground running in Missouri. Navarro is averaging a goal contribution and a half per game, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in eight matches for St. Louis. Holse has added six goals including a hat trick against LA Galaxy. The dynamic duo have propelled St. Louis up the MLS table, now they must deliver in a cup final.
Match Prediction
Columbus Crew have been in great form of late, beating some great teams such as Inter Miami and Charlotte FC. They also have the home advantage in front of one of the most passionate fanbases in the United States. However, nobody has been better than St. Louis CITY over the last six months. Although they lost over the weekend, City have proven that they can find ways to get results. They also have experience in a penalty shootout in the Open Cup this season. It will be a close match but St. Louis will find a way to lift their first trophy in club history.
Prediction: Columbus Crew 2(3)-2(4) St. Louis CITY – St. Louis CITY wins on penalties
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.
