Columbus Crew to Host U.S. Open Cup Final Wednesday

The Crew face St. Louis City SC in a bid to secure a title on home turf.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Soccer

Columbus Crew to Host U.S. Open Cup Final Wednesday

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On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Columbus Crew will host St. Louis City SC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. The Crew are seeking their first trophy since their 2024 Leagues Cup victory.

Why it matters

Winning this championship is a vital opportunity for the Columbus Crew to salvage a difficult season, during which the team has struggled to reach higher than 11th in the Eastern Conference. For St. Louis City SC, the final represents a historic challenge in their first appearance in the tournament's championship match.

St. Louis City SC enters the match riding a 22-game unbeaten streak, while the Columbus Crew currently sit at 11th in the Eastern Conference. The Crew maintain a history of nine total trophy wins.

The players

Columbus Crew

This Major League Soccer club is based in Ohio and has historically been a significant contender in domestic league play.

St. Louis City SC

This professional soccer club competes in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer.

Josef Martinez

The 33-year-old forward is a veteran goalscorer who joined the Columbus Crew roster during the summer transfer window.

The details

The final match is set to take place at the home stadium of the Columbus Crew, where the winner will be determined by whichever team makes fewer mistakes on the pitch. Striker Josef Martinez, who joined the club over the summer, brings experience to the match having previously won the U.S. Open Cup with Atlanta United in 2018.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final match takes place on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Josef Martinez previously won the U.S. Open Cup in 2018.
The Columbus Crew won the Leagues Cup in 2024.

Season Trajectory

This final serves as a critical turning point for the Columbus Crew as they attempt to define their legacy against the 2018 U.S. Open Cup final precedent. The match outcome will determine if the team can maintain its status as a frequent trophy winner despite a challenging conference standing.

The match result determines which club claims the U.S. Open Cup trophy for the 2026 season. A win for the Columbus Crew would provide a significant boost to their roster morale after an 11th-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This final highlights the pressure inherent in knockout competitions where a single mistake can decide the title. Supporters can expect a high-intensity matchup as St. Louis City SC aims to continue their unbeaten streak against the experienced core of the Columbus Crew.