Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC: 2026 US Open Cup Final, How to Watch, Kickoff Time and Projected Lineups
The 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final brings the Columbus Crew and St. Louis City SC together on Wednesday, October 21, with both clubs chasing a historic championship. Columbus will host the final at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, while St. Louis aims to win the first major trophy in its club history.
The 111th edition of the U.S. Open Cup features two MLS clubs with different histories. Columbus has won multiple trophies during its three-decade history, including the U.S. Open Cup in 2002. St. Louis City SC, one of the league's newer teams, is seeking its first title.
Both teams enter the final after strong stretches of form. The Crew have won five of their last six matches, including their semifinal victory over Orlando City on September 16. St. Louis recently recorded a 21-match unbeaten run before losing 3-2 away to Minnesota United on October 17.
The championship match kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will air on CBS Sports Network, with live streaming available through Paramount+. Here is everything you need to know about the Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC final, including the match date, kickoff time, broadcast information, projected starting lineups and tournament history.
Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC Final: Match Details
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Kickoff time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Competition: 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
TV channel: CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Paramount+
Teams: Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC
How to Watch the 2026 US Open Cup Final?
Soccer fans in the United States can watch the U.S. Open Cup final between Columbus and St. Louis on CBS Sports Network. Paramount+ will provide a streaming option for viewers who prefer to watch online.
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 21. Check your local listings and streaming subscription for access to the live broadcast.
Columbus Crew Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper: Patrick Schulte
Defenders: Malte Amundsen, Sean Zawadzki, Steven Moreira, Mohamed Farsi
Midfielders: Santiago Rodriguez, Taha Habroune, André Gomes, Anass Zaroury
Forwards: Josef MartÃnez, Brais Méndez
Columbus will look to use its home advantage and attacking options to secure another U.S. Open Cup title. Patrick Schulte is projected to start in goal, with the defense and midfield supporting a forward line led by MartÃnez and Méndez.
These are projected lineups and may change before kickoff.
St. Louis City SC Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper: Roman Bürki
Defenders: Tomas Totland, Timo Baumgartl, Lukas MacNaughton
Midfielders: Dante Polvara, Chris Durkin, Daniel Edelman, Conrad Wallem
Attacking midfielder: Alexandru Mățan
Forwards: Rafael Navarro, Jeong Sang-bin
St. Louis City SC will aim to turn its recent strong form into a championship performance. Roman Bürki is projected to lead the defense, while Mățan is expected to operate behind the forwards.
The visitors will need a disciplined defensive performance and effective finishing to lift the trophy in Columbus.
Has Columbus Crew Ever Won the US Open Cup?
Yes. The Columbus Crew have won the U.S. Open Cup once, defeating the LA Galaxy in the 2002 final.
Columbus has also reached the final on two other occasions. The club lost to the Chicago Fire in 1998 and the Seattle Sounders in 2010.
The 2026 final gives the Crew an opportunity to claim their second title in the competition and add another trophy to their club history.
Has St. Louis Ever Won the US Open Cup?
St. Louis City SC has never won the U.S. Open Cup, but the wider St. Louis soccer community has a long history of success in the tournament.
St. Louis-based clubs have won 10 U.S. Open Cup titles. The most recent came in 1988, when the St. Louis Busch Seniors won the competition.
Other St. Louis winners include Ben Millers in 1920, Scullin Steel in 1922, Stix, Baer and Fuller or St. Louis Central Breweries from 1933 to 1935, St. Louis Simpkins-Ford in 1948 and 1950, and St. Louis Kutis SC in 1957 and 1986.
Only New York City, with 25 titles, has produced more U.S. Open Cup winners than St. Louis, according to the historical figures provided.
Although the city's soccer tradition is extensive, a championship for St. Louis City SC would represent a new milestone for the MLS club.
What Is the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup?
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer tournament in the United States. First played in 1913 as the National Challenge Cup, the competition brings together eligible amateur and professional clubs in a single-elimination format.
The tournament has continued through different eras of American soccer, connecting historic regional clubs with modern professional teams. The competition was not held in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Winning the U.S. Open Cup also earns the champion a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup, providing a route to international club competition.
The tournament's open format gives clubs from different levels of American soccer the opportunity to compete for a national title.
Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC Final: Key Storylines
Columbus Seeks a Second US Open Cup Title
Columbus has the experience of previous championship runs and will play at home. The Crew will try to convert their recent form into a trophy and end their 24-year wait for another U.S. Open Cup title.
St. Louis City SC Targets Its First Trophy
St. Louis City SC has an opportunity to secure the first trophy in its club history. Despite its recent defeat to Minnesota United, the team's 21-match unbeaten run demonstrates the form it produced before the final.
A Historic Night for American Soccer
The final connects one of MLS's established clubs with a relatively new franchise. Columbus wants to add another title to its history, while St. Louis hopes to establish a new chapter in its club's development.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 US Open Cup final?
The final takes place on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
What time does Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC start?
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Where will the US Open Cup final be played?
The match will take place at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, the home venue of the Columbus Crew.
What channel is showing the US Open Cup final?
CBS Sports Network is listed as the television broadcaster.
How can I stream Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC?
Paramount+ is listed as the live streaming option for the final. Access may depend on your subscription and region.
How many US Open Cup titles have Columbus Crew won?
Columbus has won the tournament once, in 2002. The Crew also reached the finals in 1998 and 2010.
Has St. Louis City SC won a trophy?
St. Louis City SC is seeking its first club trophy in the 2026 U.S. Open Cup final. However, other St. Louis-based teams have won the tournament 10 times historically.
What does the US Open Cup winner receive?
The winner earns a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup, offering an opportunity to compete against clubs from across the region.
The Columbus Crew and St. Louis City SC will meet with a championship at stake on October 21. Columbus will try to use its home advantage to win a second U.S. Open Cup, while St. Louis aims to secure the first trophy in its club history. Check the broadcast listings before kickoff for the latest viewing information.
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